Doctors might take a blood sample to be checked under a microscope for malaria parasites, which are seen inside infected red blood cells. In countries where the disease is seen a lot, doctors often treat people for malaria who have a fever with no obvious cause without getting lab tests to prove the person has malaria.
Malaria is treated with anti-malarial drugs given by mouth, by injection, or intravenously into the veins. Depending on the parasite causing the malaria, a person might be treated as an outpatient over a few days or in the hospital with IV medicine.
Doctors also watch for signs of dehydration , convulsions, anemia , and other complications that can affect the brain, kidneys, or spleen. A patient may need fluids, blood transfusions, and help with breathing. If diagnosed early and treated, malaria can usually be cured in about 2 weeks.
However, many people who live in areas where malaria is common get repeated infections and never really recover between episodes of illness. Without treatment, the disease can be fatal, especially in children who are malnourished. Health authorities try to prevent malaria by using mosquito-control programs aimed at killing mosquitoes that carry the disease. If you travel to an area of the world with a high risk for malaria, you can install window screens, use insect repellents, and place mosquito netting over beds.
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Condition Spotlight. Clinical Trials Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. Closed Trials. The malaria parasites enter that person's bloodstream and travel to the liver.
When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect red blood cells. Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans most commonly through mosquito bites. Because the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells, people can also catch malaria from exposure to infected blood, including:. The greatest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or to visit areas where the disease is common.
These include the tropical and subtropical regions of:. The degree of risk depends on local malaria control, seasonal changes in malaria rates and the precautions you take to prevent mosquito bites. In many countries with high malaria rates, the problem is worsened by lack of access to preventive measures, medical care and information. Residents of a malaria region may be exposed to the disease enough to acquire a partial immunity, which can lessen the severity of malaria symptoms.
However, this partial immunity can disappear if you move to a place where you're no longer frequently exposed to the parasite.
Malaria can be fatal, particularly when caused by the plasmodium species common in Africa. Some varieties of the malaria parasite, which typically cause milder forms of the disease, can persist for years and cause relapses.
If you live in or are traveling to an area where malaria is common, take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you should:.
Plasmodium malariae — this is quite rare and usually only found in Africa. Plasmodium knowlesi — this is very rare and found in parts of southeast Asia. How malaria is spread The Plasmodium parasite is spread by mosquitoes.
Where is malaria found? Complications of malaria Malaria is a serious illness that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Anaemia The destruction of red blood cells by the malaria parasite can cause severe anaemia. Cerebral malaria In rare cases, malaria can affect the brain. Other complications Other complications that can arise as a result of severe malaria include: liver failure and jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes shock — a sudden drop in blood pressure pulmonary oedema — a build-up of fluid in the lungs acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS abnormally low blood sugar — hypoglycaemia kidney failure swelling and rupturing of the spleen dehydration Malaria in pregnancy If you get malaria while pregnant, you and your baby have an increased risk of developing serious complications like: premature birth — birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy low birth weight restricted growth of the baby in the womb stillbirth miscarriage death of the mother Pregnant women are advised to avoid travelling to regions with a risk of malaria.
Preventing and treating malaria If you travel to an area that has malaria, you are at risk of the infection. Preventing malaria Malaria can often be avoided using the ABCD approach to prevention, which stands for: Awareness of risk — find out whether you're at risk of getting malaria Bite prevention — use insect repellent, cover your skin with clothing, and use a mosquito net to avoid mosquito bites Check whether you need to take antimalarial prevention tablets by visiting a travel health clinic - if you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the course Diagnosis — seek immediate medical advice if you have malaria symptoms, including up to a year after you return from travelling Being aware of the risks To check whether you are travelling to a malaria risk area see the fitfortravel or National Travel Health Network and Centre NaTHNaC websites.
Preventing mosquito bites Avoiding mosquito bites is one of the best ways to prevent malaria. There are several steps you can take to avoid being bitten. These are available in: sprays roll-ons sticks creams There's no evidence to suggest that other remedies protect against malaria, such as homeopathic remedies , electronic buzzers, vitamins B1 or B12 , garlic, yeast extract spread Marmite , tea tree oils or bath oils.
Antimalarial tablets Antimalarial tablets can help prevent you from developing a malaria infection. How long antimalarial tablets should be taken will depend on which tablet is used. Taking antimalarial medication You may need to take a short trial course of antimalarial tablets before travelling. Do make sure you get the right antimalarial tablets before you go — visit a travel health clinic for advice on which is the best antimalarial for you follow the instructions included with your tablets carefully make sure you complete the full course of tablets.
There's currently no vaccine available that offers protection against malaria. Types of antimalarial medication The type of antimalarial tablets that you will be recommended is based on the following information: where you're going any relevant family medical history your medical history, including any allergies to medication any medication you're currently taking any problems you've had with antimalarial medicines in the past your age whether you're pregnant If you've taken antimalarial medication in the past, don't assume it's suitable for future trips.
The main types of antimalarials used to prevent malaria are: Atovaquone plus proguanil also known as Maloff protect or Malarone Doxycycline also known as Vibramycin-D Mefloquine also known as Lariam To find out what type of antimalarial medication is best for you, visit your local travel clinic. Treating malaria If malaria is diagnosed and treated quickly, you should fully recover. Treatment for malaria can leave you feeling very tired and weak for several weeks.
The type of medicine and how long you need to take it will depend on: the type of malaria you have the severity of your symptoms whether you took preventative antimalarial tablets your age whether you're pregnant. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window.
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