Which of the following is NOT a symptom of early malaria?

In the context of early malaria symptoms, the correct response highlights that enlargement of the liver is not typically considered a symptom that manifests early in the disease. Early symptoms of malaria are generally nonspecific and may include low-grade fever, stomach pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea.

Low-grade fever often appears as one of the first symptoms of malaria, resulting from the parasitic infection, whereas stomach pain can be a common complaint due to the body's response to the infection. Additionally, diarrhea, which could lead to bloody mucoid stools, can occur, although it is more commonly associated with other gastrointestinal infections rather than being a direct consequence of malaria.

In contrast, enlargement of the liver, or hepatomegaly, tends to occur later in the progression of the disease as the infection affects the liver. Initial symptoms primarily involve systemic reactions rather than organ enlargement, which could complicate the understanding of the disease if assumed to be an early indicator. Thus, the focus on symptoms like fever or abdominal discomfort aligns more closely with the typical early presentation of malaria, differentiating them from liver enlargement, which is not part of the initial symptom cluster.