Why can malaria be mistaken for influenza in travelers returning from tropical regions?

Malaria can be easily mistaken for influenza because the early clinical signs of the two illnesses are remarkably similar. When travelers return from tropical regions, they may present with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.12

Because many travelers do not develop symptoms until they have returned to countries where malaria is not endemic, their illness may be dismissed as the flu by healthcare providers who are not alerted to the patient's travel history. This misdiagnosis is dangerous, as malaria can progress rapidly and, in some cases, lead to fatal consequences within hours if not treated promptly. It is therefore ethically imperative for travelers to recognize these early signs of infection and explicitly inform their doctors about their recent travel to regions where malaria may be present.31