Malaria

Overview

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Infected Anopheles mosquitoes spread it, mostly at night. The parasites infect the liver, then red blood cells.

Plasmodium falciparum, common in Africa, causes the most severe illness. Some types, like vivax, can hide in the liver and come back months later. In the U.S., almost all cases are in people who traveled.

Symptoms

Malaria can feel like the flu at first. Symptoms can come and go.

• Fever after traveling out of the country
• Shaking chills
• Sweats
• Headache
• Body aches

Less common

• Tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Confusion, seizures, or trouble breathing in severe malaria

When to get medical care

Causes

Plasmodium parasites spread by mosquito bites. Rarely, malaria spreads through blood transfusions or from mother to baby.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It usually doesn't spread from person to person.
• People get it from: mosquito bites.

Who is more likely to get it

• Travel to parts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, or Latin America
• Visiting friends and family abroad, since people often skip prevention pills
• Pregnancy, young children, and people without a spleen are at higher risk of severe illness

Possible complications

• Anemia: From destroyed red blood cells
• Kidney injury
• Cerebral malaria: Brain swelling

Diagnosis

Malaria is diagnosed with blood tests. Tell your care team exactly where you traveled.

Questions you may be asked

• Where and when you traveled
• Whether you took malaria pills and finished them

The exam

They'll check your temperature, alertness, and signs of anemia or jaundice.

Tests

Tests:

• Blood smear: Parasites are seen under a microscope. It may be repeated.
• Rapid malaria test: Quick result, then confirmed with a smear.

Treatment

Malaria needs treatment right away. Severe malaria is treated in the hospital.

Self-care

• Don't wait: get tested the same day you have a fever after travel
• Take every dose of your treatment
• Drink fluids and rest

Medicines

Different medicines prevent and treat malaria.

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

The medicine depends on the type of malaria and where you got it. Some types need extra medicine to clear parasites from the liver.

Prevention

To prevent malaria when traveling:

• Take prevention pills exactly as prescribed, before, during, and after your trip
• Use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
• Wear long sleeves and pants at night
• Sleep under a bed net or in screened, air-conditioned rooms

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Pregnancy: Malaria is more dangerous in pregnancy. Pregnant people should avoid travel to malaria areas if possible.
• Children: Can get very sick quickly. Ask about pill doses by weight.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

With fast diagnosis and treatment, most people recover fully. Delays can be deadly, especially with falciparum malaria.

Getting ready for your visit

Travel details matter.

What to bring

• Countries and dates of travel
• Any malaria pills you took

Questions to ask

• Which type of malaria is it?
• Do I need medicine to stop it coming back?
• What should I take on my next trip?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Malaria