Malaria Symptoms

Malaria is a life-risky disease transmitted to human through mosquito bites. Malaria infection is caused by parasite of the genus plasmodium. While the disease is rare in temperate climates, malaria remains common in tropical and subtropical countries. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of the Anopheles mosquito. There are five different types of malaria that can affect humans.

When a mosquito bites, the parasite is released into the bloodstream. Inside the body, the parasite travels to the liver, where it develops and matures. After several days, the mature parasite enters the bloodstream and begins to infect red blood cells. Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasite grows inside the red blood cells, causing the infected cells to rupture. The parasite continues to infect additional red blood cells, causing symptoms to appear in cycles lasting two to three days each. These symptoms include recurring chills and fever.

In rare cases, malaria can be transmitted from mother to unborn child during pregnancy through blood transfusions or by sharing needles among intravenous drug users.

Malaria kills approximately 660 million people worldwide each year. With increased international travel and population migration, the risk is increasing in areas where it is less common.

Malaria is common in developing countries and areas with high humidity and moderate temperatures. These include parts of Central and South America, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa, Eastern Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. The most lethal forms of malaria are more common in Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 300-500 million cases of malaria occur annually, and more than 1 million people die from malaria, particularly in developing countries. Most deaths occur among young children. Research shows that In Africa, after every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria . Because malaria causes severe illness and death, it drains national economies. The disease perpetuates a vicious cycle of disease and poverty in poorer countries.

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. Plasmodium is primarily transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite primarily at dusk and at night.

There are different types of Plasmodium parasites, but only five cause malaria in humans.

These are:

Plasmodium falciparum – It is primarily found in Africa. It is the most dangerous type of Plasmodium and is responsible for the majority of malaria deaths worldwide.

Plasmodium vivax – It is primarily found in Asia and South America. A different species of the Plasmodium parasite causes less severe malaria symptoms than Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite can remain in the liver for up to three years and cause relapses.

Plasmodium ovale – It is less common and is commonly found in West Africa. It can remain in your liver for years without causing any symptoms.

Plasmodium malaria – It is found in Africa.

Plasmodium knowlesi – It is found in parts of Southeast Asia.

Malaria symptoms can be divided into two categories: uncomplicated malaria or complicated malaria.

Uncomplicated malaria: In this case, symptoms occur, but there are no signs of severe infection or vital organ dysfunction. This form can become severe if left untreated or if the host has low or no immunity. Symptoms of this type of malaria typically last 6 to 10 hours and occur every other day. Some strains of the parasite may have a longer cycle or cause mixed symptoms. Because symptoms resemble those of the flu, they may be missed or misdiagnosed in areas where malaria is less common.

In uncomplicated malaria, symptoms include:

Chills with a shivering sensation

Fever, headache, and vomiting

Seizures, which may occur in young people

Sweating followed by return to normal temperature

Severe malaria

In severe malaria, clinical or laboratory evidence shows signs of vital organ dysfunction.

Symptoms of severe malaria include:

Fever and chills

Loss or impaired consciousness

Prostration and exhaustion

Numerous seizures

Deep breathing and respiratory distress

Abnormal bleeding and signs of anemia

Clinical jaundice and other evidence of vital organ dysfunction. Severe malaria can be fatal if left untreated.

The main risk factor for contracting malaria is living in or visiting tropical areas where the disease is common. There are several subtypes of the malaria parasite. The strains that cause the most fatal complications are typically found in:

Sub-Saharan African countries

The Asian subcontinent

The Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Haiti

Risk of severe illness

People at risk for severe illness include:

Young children and infants

Travelers from malaria-free areas

Pregnant women and their unborn children

Poverty, lack of knowledge, and limited or no access to health care further contribute to malaria deaths worldwide.

Residents of malaria-affected areas may have frequent exposure to the disease, which can lead to partial immunity that reduces the severity of malaria symptoms. However, this partial immunity may disappear if you move to a country where exposure to the parasite is no longer frequent.

Malaria symptoms can mimic many other illnesses, including malaria or viral syndromes. Therefore, it is important to inquire about recent travel history to endemic areas or other potential exposures.

If you become ill while traveling to or after returning from an area where malaria is found, seek medical attention immediately, even if you have been taking antimalarial medication.

Malaria can worsen very quickly, so diagnosis and treatment are essential as soon as possible. If you develop malaria symptoms while still taking antimalarial tablets, either during your trip or in the days or weeks after your return, remember to tell your doctor which type of antimalarial you were taking. You should not be treated with the same type of antimalarial.

If you develop these symptoms after returning home, see your GP or hospital doctor and tell them which countries you have visited in the past 12 months.

A correct diagnosis is made by examining an infected person's blood under a microscope (a blood smear) and identifying the parasite. The patient's blood is prepared under a slide and stained with a specific stain to help identify the parasite. This is the most commonly performed test.

Dosage: The adult dosage is one tablet per week. Children's dosage is also weekly, but the dosage depends on their weight. It should be started three weeks before travel and continued while you are in the risk area and for four weeks after your return.

Recommended Use: Not recommended if the person suffers from epilepsy, seizures, depression, or other mental health issues, or has a close relative with any of these conditions. This is generally not recommended for people with severe heart or liver problems.

Possible side effects include dizziness, headache, sleep disturbances (insomnia and vivid dreams), and psychiatric reactions (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and hallucinations). It is important to tell your doctor about any previous mental health problems, including mild depression. Do not take this medicine if you have epilepsy.

Chloroquine and Proguanil

An antimalarial drug combination called chloroquine and proguanil is also available, but they are mostly ineffective against Plasmodium falciparum.

It is always recommended that you take antimalarial medicine when traveling to areas at risk of malaria. As soon as you know when and where you will be traveling, visit your GP or local travel clinic for malaria advice.

It is important to take the correct dose and complete the course of antimalarial medicine. If you have any questions, ask your GP or pharmacist how long you should take the medicine.

DEET Insect Repellent

The chemical DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is commonly used in insect repellents. This is not recommended for infants under two months old. DEET is safe for older children, adults, and pregnant women.

For use on exposed skin

Do not spray directly on your face—spray on your hands and then pat onto your face.

Avoid contact with lips and eyes.

Wash your hands after use.

Do not apply to damaged or irritated skin.

Make sure to apply DEET after applying sunscreen, not before.

How do people get malaria?

When a mosquito carrying malaria parasites bites, the parasites are released into the bloodstream and cause malaria.

How is malaria transmitted?

Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites.

What are the symptoms of severe malaria?

Severe malaria

In severe malaria, evidence shows signs of vital organ dysfunction.

Symptoms of severe malaria include:

Fever and chills

Imperfected consciousness

Prone or prone position

Numerous seizures

Deep breathing and respiratory distress

Unusual bleeding and signs of anemia

Clinical jaundice and evidence of vital organ dysfunction

What are the most common medications used for antihistamines?

Chloroquine (Aralen)

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)

Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin)

Mefloquine

Atovaquine and proguanil combination (malarone)

Causes of malaria

Symptoms of malaria

Diagnosis of malaria

Treatment of malaria

Preventing malaria

Rapid diagnostic tests (antigen tests) can provide a diagnosis within minutes. A blood smear is recommended after a positive test. If malaria is diagnosed and treated promptly, a full recovery is expected. Once a blood test confirms malaria, treatment should begin immediately.
Several antimalarial drugs are used to treat the disease. They can also be used to prevent malaria.
The type of antimalarial medication and how long you should take it depends on:
the type of malaria; where you contracted malaria; the severity of your symptoms; whether you've taken preventive antimalarial medication; your age; and whether you're pregnant.
Your doctor may recommend a combination of different antimalarial medications to treat malaria parasites that have become resistant to a specific type of medication. Antimalarial medications are usually given as tablets or capsules. If someone is seriously ill, they'll be given an injection or infusion in the arm at the hospital. Malaria treatment may make you feel very tired and weak for a few weeks.

The most common antimalarial medications include:

chloroquine (Aralen);

hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil);

quinine sulfate (Qualaquin);

mefloquine; and a combination of atovaquone and proguanil (malarone).
Prophylactic Treatment: In some cases, you may be prescribed medication to treat malaria before traveling. This may be done if you're at risk of contracting malaria while traveling to an area with a high incidence of malaria and limited access to healthcare.

Antimalarial Medication During Pregnancy: If you're pregnant, it's recommended to avoid traveling to areas with a risk of malaria.

Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe malaria, and both the baby and mother may experience serious complications. If you are pregnant and unable to postpone/cancel travel to areas at risk for malaria, it is important to take the correct antimalarial medication. Some medications used to prevent and treat malaria are not suitable for pregnant women because they can have side effects for both mother and baby.

These include:

Mefloquine – This medication is generally not prescribed during the first three months of pregnancy. Pregnancy should be avoided during the first three months after stopping preventive antimalarial medication.
Doxycycline – This medication should never be recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women because it may harm the baby.

Atovaquone plus proguanil – This medication is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, if the risk of malaria is high and no suitable alternatives are available, it may be recommended.

Chloroquine combined with proguanil is suitable during pregnancy, but it is not always used because it is less effective against the most common and dangerous types of Plasmodium.
If you travel to affected areas, you are at risk of contracting malaria. It is important to take precautions against this disease. Malaria can often be avoided using the ABCD prevention method:

Risk awareness – Check your risk of contracting malaria. Bite Prevention – Use insect repellent, cover your arms and legs, or use a mosquito net to avoid mosquito bites.
Check if you need to take preventive malaria tablets – If you do, make sure you take the correct antimalarial medication at the correct dosage and complete the course.
Diagnosis – If you experience symptoms of malaria within one year of returning from your trip, seek medical advice immediately.

Risk Awareness

Check if you need preventive malaria treatment in the country you are visiting. Once you know where you are traveling, see your GP or local travel clinic for malaria information. If you are traveling to a high-risk area, even if you grew up in a country where malaria is common, you still need to take precautions to protect yourself from infection. No one is completely immune to malaria, and any natural protection you may have quickly disappears when you leave the risk area.

Bite Prevention - To avoid mosquito bites:

Stay near an area with high-efficiency air conditioning and screened doors and windows. If this is not possible, make sure doors and windows are properly closed.
Use insect repellent on your skin and in your sleeping area. Remember to reapply frequently. The most effective insect repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) and are available in spray, roll-on, stick, and cream forms.

Wear light, loose-fitting pants, not shorts, and long-sleeved shirts. This is especially important in the evening and at night when mosquitoes tend to feed.

Check if you need to take malaria prevention tablets

There is currently no vaccine to prevent malaria, so antimalarial medications are necessary to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.

Antimalarial medications only reduce the risk of infection by about 90%. Therefore, it is also important to take steps to avoid bites.

Types of Antimalarial Medications Used to Prevent Malaria
Antimalarial medications are used to prevent malaria. The following types of antimalarial medications are used to treat or prevent malaria.

Atovaquone + Proguanil

Dosage – The adult dose is one tablet daily. The child's dose depends on the child's weight. This medication should be started one or two days before travel and continued daily while in the risk area. It must be continued for seven days after returning.

Recommended Use – Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is also not recommended for people with severe kidney problems.
Possible side effects: Stomach upset, headache, rash, and mouth sores.
Doxycycline
Dosage: The dosage is 100 mg per tablet/capsule daily. You should start taking the medication two days before travel, take it daily while in the risk area, and continue for four weeks after your return.
Recommended Use: Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 12 (due to the risk of discoloration of permanent teeth), people sensitive to tetracycline antibiotics, or people with liver problems.

Possible side effects: Stomach upset, heartburn, thrush, and sunburn due to photosensitivity.