Return-to-Play After Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in a Professional American Football Player

Case: A 27-year-old male professional American football player presented to the emergency department with high-grade fever after recent travel to Nigeria. Blood smear confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria. After treatment and a 3-day hospital admission, the patient’s symptoms resolved, and he was discharged. Despite persistent splenomegaly at 6 weeks after discharge, the patient was cleared for on-field practice without contact. At 12 weeks after discharge, he was cleared to return to unrestricted play. Conclusion: Professional collision sport athletes with malaria and persistent splenomegaly should remain cautious about returning to contact play but may continue noncontact activities as tolerated to decrease the risk of deconditioning.