Malaria is a life threatening mosquito-borne blood disease. Symptoms include fever, chills, and headaches. Treatment generally involves antimalarial medications.
Five types of Plasmodium parasites can cause malaria in humans. Once an Anopheles mosquito with the infection bites a human, the parasites multiply in the host’s liver before causing infection and destroying red blood cells. Early symptoms include a fever. Over time, it can affect the internal organs, leading to death.
Early diagnosis can help treat and manage malaria.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of malaria, how to prevent it, and more.
Malaria typically causes:
- fever
- chills
- headaches
How it affects people can vary widely. Some people have mild or no symptoms, but others can become severely ill.
The condition can progress to cause severe or life threatening complications.
Doctors divide malaria symptoms into
Uncomplicated malaria
Uncomplicated malaria refers to symptoms of malaria but no signs of severe infection or dysfunction of the vital organs. However, without treatment, or if a person has low immunity, it can progress to severe malaria.
Symptoms can resemble those of flu and can typically last 6 to 10 hours. However, some strains of the parasite can have a longer cycle or cause mixed symptoms.
General signs and symptoms can include:
In areas where malaria is
Severe malaria
In some cases, malaria can progress and affect vital body organs. At this point, malaria parasites have affected over 5% of the red blood cells.
Symptoms include:
- severe anemia
- blood in the urine
- changes in blood clotting
- impaired consciousness
- changes in behavior
- high acidity in the blood and body fluids
- seizures
- coma
Severe malaria is a life threatening medical emergency.
A person can develop malaria if they receive a bite from an infected mosquito.
To cause an infection in a person, the insect must carry a parasite known as Plasmodium. There are many types of this parasite, but
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium knowlesi
Moreover, only a bite from a female Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria to humans.
When a mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the blood. It moves to the liver and begins multiplying.
The liver releases new malaria parasites back into the bloodstream, where they cause infections of red blood cells and multiply further. Some malaria parasites remain in the liver and do not circulate until later, resulting in recurrence.
As the parasites multiply, symptoms start to appear, usually 10 to 15 days after infection, depending on the type of Plasmodium. In some cases, symptoms can develop after anywhere from 7 days to 3 months.
An unaffected mosquito could also acquire parasites when it feeds on blood containing them, which restarts the cycle.
Malaria is not endemic to the United States, but it affects people in 91 countries around the world, especially in:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Southeast Asia
- Central and South America
If traveling to a country where there is a risk of malaria, travelers
- find out what the overall risk of malaria is in the area they are visiting
- check the risk for the exact location, season, styles of travel, and health status of each traveler
- seek advice on the best medication to use to prevent infection in that region
- request antimalarial drugs in advance to allow time for any testing and pretravel doses
- be aware of the symptoms of malaria
- be aware that blood donation may not be permissible after traveling to a place where malaria is common
While away, travelers can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by:
- using air-conditioned accommodation
- not camping by stagnant water
- wearing clothes that cover the body at times when mosquitoes are most likely to be around
- using insect repellent, pretreated bed nets, and other products
Anyone with symptoms that may indicate malaria should speak with a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is critical for recovery from malaria. People can acquire an infection even after taking antimalarial drugs.
A person should tell the doctor if they have been in an area where malaria has been present in the past 12 months.
A doctor will ask about the person’s symptoms and travel history. If they suspect malaria, they will order blood tests. including rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) for parasites.
With early treatment, people with malaria can make a full recovery.
Treatment can include:
- medication to eliminate the parasite from the bloodstream
- supportive care
- hospitalization for those with severe symptoms
- intensive care, in some cases
Some medications for malaria include:
- chloroquine
- hydroxychloroquine
- clindamycin
- doxycycline
- artemisinin-based therapy
The type of medication and length of treatment may vary, depending on factors such as:
- the type of Plasmodium that caused malaria
- how severe the symptoms are
- whether the individual has taken antimalarial drugs before
- whether the person is pregnant
Additionally, people who develop complications may need a combination of medications.
Malaria relapses
With some types of Plasmodium, malaria can disappear but return months or years later. This occurs because the parasites have dormant stages, during which there is no disease activity. However, symptoms can occur if they reactivate.
Treatment, which a person should undergo after their first episode, is available and can help prevent relapses.
Some steps can help reduce the likelihood of developing malaria.
Strategies for preventing malaria include:
- being aware of the risk
- preventing mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and covering the arms and legs
- taking antimalarial tablets when traveling to an area where malaria occurs
- getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment if someone thinks they may have the condition
- administering the vaccine to children who live in places where malaria is endemic
If a person uses antimalarial drugs, they should still take measures to prevent bites when spending time in an area where the disease is likely.
Anyone planning to travel to an area where malaria is common should enquire about malaria tablets in good time. In most cases, people need to start taking the drugs
Malaria is a serious condition that can be life threatening without treatment. However, with treatment, people can make a full recovery.
Without treatment, symptoms may last from
Without treatment, a person may be at risk of developing cerebral malaria, severe malarial anemia, or nephrotic syndrome. These are potentially fatal complications.
Other possible complications of malaria include:
- liver failure, which can lead to jaundice
- kidney failure
- unusually low blood glucose
- swelling and rupturing of the spleen
- pulmonary edema, where fluid builds up in the lungs
- acute respiratory distress syndrome, which affects breathing
- dehydration
Contacting a doctor as soon as there are concerns about malaria may help to reduce the likelihood of complications.
Malaria is a life threatening condition that can occur if a person has a mosquito bite that carries certain types of Plasmodium parasites.
The symptoms of malaria can include a fever and chills. Eventually, malaria can affect vital body organs.
Anyone planning to spend time in an area where malaria is common should ask for advice on antimalarial drugs and other strategies for reducing the risk of the condition.
If a person develops symptoms up to a year after traveling in an affected area, they need to consult their doctor, who will likely order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.