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We have this dilemna in the field, how can one attempt to differentiate the two illnesses from one another?
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Interesting dilemma.
First a brief lab diversion: you could examine the blood under a microscope to look for the malaria parasites (though they may not be present in large concentrations, so you could not rule out malaria that way). Microscope is also used in some countries to do Peripheral Blood Film to screen for sickling. With a better lab, you could perform electrophoresis or HPLC on the hemoglobin to confirm sickling. DNA testing might also be done, though much less likely in a field lab.
Are there any adverse effects of treating the sickle-cell anemia patient with anti-malarial drugs?