A patient with malaria may demonstrate signs of abnormal behavior or frank psychosis. The patient should be carefully evaluated for possible causes.
Possible Cause
Feature
exacerbation of a pre-existing psychotic disorder
history of previous psychotic disorder
cerebral malaria
altered level of consciousness or other signs of cerebral involvement; tends to last only a few days
viral encephalitis
possible exposure, serologic or virologic findings, skin rash or other findings, other neurologic findings
anti-malarial medication
reverses after drug discontinuation
other medication
reverses after drug discontinuation
alcohol withdrawal or psychosis
history of alcohol abuse
stress-related psychiatric disorder
past history of psychiatric disorder; severe stress (warfare, travel or weather related, etc)
Although anti-malarial drugs may be associated with psychiatric reactions it is important to exclude other causes before assuming this is the sole cause.
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