Which of the following is NOT a symptom of malaria?

Persistent cough is not a symptom of malaria. Malaria is primarily characterized by symptoms that result from the infection with the Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The hallmark symptoms of malaria include shaking chills, high fever, and profuse sweating, which occur as the body's immune response triggers a series of cycles following the maturation and release of the parasites from red blood cells. This leads to fever spikes and subsequent sweating episodes as the body attempts to regulate its temperature.

A persistent cough, while it can be associated with many other respiratory infections and conditions, is not directly linked to malaria. This distinction is important in diagnosing the illness and differentiating it from other diseases with overlapping symptoms, such as respiratory infections or influenza. Therefore, recognizing that a persistent cough is not characteristic of malaria is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.