Malaria is a serious illness that causes fever. A tiny parasite (germ) called Plasmodium causes it. Female Anopheles mosquitoes spread it through bites.
What is malaria ?
Malaria is common in Africa. Also it occurs in Asia and South America. Its signs include chills, fever, and sweating. They often start 1 to 4 weeks after a mosquito bite. Five types of parasite infect humans. They are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi. Among them, P. falciparum is the most dangerous.
Causes of malaria:
Plasmodium parasites cause malaria. And, an infected mosquito passes them.
Types of malaria:
Five types of Plasmodium parasite infect humans.
Plasmodium knowlesi:
Plasmodium knowlesi is a rising cause. Also, it is found in Southeast Asia. In the past, it infected only monkeys. Now we know it can infect humans through mosquito bites. It grows fast in red blood cells. So some patients get very sick if treatment is late. Therefore, it is now the fifth main parasite in humans.
Plasmodium falciparum:
Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous type. It infects red blood cells fast. It infects many red blood cells very fast. This can cause serious problems. These include cerebral malaria (brain damage). They also include kidney injury and trouble breathing. Severe anemia (very low red blood cells) can follow. Therefore, early tests and quick treatment are vital. Without treatment, it can turn deadly fast. It is most common in sub-Saharan Africa.
Plasmodium vivax:
Also, Plasmodium vivax is common in many parts of Asia. In addition, it is found in other warm regions. It causes fever, chills, and sweating again and again. Still, it can make you very sick without treatment. Also, it can hide in the liver as hypnozoites (sleeping germs). Then the illness comes back months later. This is called a relapse.
Plasmodium ovale:
Plasmodium ovale is a rare cause of malaria. It is found mainly in some warm regions. Also like vivax, it can sleep in the liver. It then causes relapses months later. Signs include fever, weakness, headache, and body aches. Most cases are mild. Patients recover well with the right treatment.
Plasmodium malariae:
Plasmodium malariae causes a long, mild illness. Plus its signs start later than the others. It is a rare type.
Life Cycle:
In Mosquito
- A mosquito bite injects sporozoites (early parasites)
- A female mosquito takes in gametocytes (parasite sex cells) when it drinks blood
- In Human
- Also, in the liver stage, parasites grow inside liver cells, which doctors call Merozoites.
- Red blood cell stage (parasites grow in red blood cells) → Gametocytes
Symptoms of Malaria:
- High fever comes with bad chills. Furthermore, shaking and headache follow.
- Strong headache and body aches.
- Heavy sweating when the fever drops.
- Deep tiredness and feeling unwell.
- Nausea (feeling sick) vomiting and no hunger.
- Dry cough and muscle pain (myalgia) especially back pain
Severe Malaria Symptoms:
Without treatment, malaria can turn severe fast. This harms many organs. Also this is more likely with falciparum. Severe malaria harms many organs:
- Liver and blood sugar: Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes). Also, very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Brain: Confusion, fits (seizures), or coma.
- Lungs: Trouble breathing, fast breathing or lung failure (ARDS).
- Blood: Severe anemia (very low red blood cells) and bleeding without injury.
Risk Factors:
- Not using mosquito protection
- Poor housing
- Children under 5 years
- A weak immune system
Diagnosis of Malaria
- MP smear (malaria parasite test, the gold standard): The lab looks at thick and thin blood films under a microscope. The thick film is very good at finding the germ. The thin film shows the type of germ.
- Rapid tests (RDTs): These are quick stick tests. Also they give results within minutes. They help most when no expert microscope service is available.
- Complete blood count (CBC): It checks hemoglobin (Hb) for anemia. It also checks for low platelets (thrombocytopenia), which are common in this disease.
- Liver function tests (LFTs): They check bilirubin and show if the liver is affected or if jaundice is present.
- Urine test (Urine D/R): Doctors use it to check for other infections and for dark urine (hemoglobinuria). It does not diagnose malaria.
Treatment of Malaria :
Malaria is curable. The right medicine helps the body heal. Also the exact treatment depends on the type of parasite and how severe the symptoms are;
Supportive care
First, paracetamol lowers high fever. Also, ORS (oral rehydration salts) and vitamins help recovery. Therefore, every patient should see a registered doctor for a proper check-up.
Mild falciparum
ACT is the first choice. Thus it stands for artemisinin-based combination therapy. Then, the patient takes the tablets for 3 days.
Chloroquine
Next, doctors use chloroquine for vivax and other non-falciparum types. It works when the germ still responds to it. Also, many falciparum germs resist it.
Relapse prevention
For vivax and ovale, doctors also give primaquine or tafenoquine. These kill the sleeping germs in the liver. However, a G6PD test must come first. It is a blood test for a common enzyme problem. This matters because these medicines can harm people with G6PD deficiency.
Severe malaria
Moreover, the patient needs hospital care right away. First, doctors give artesunate (a strong malaria medicine) through a vein (IV). Also, after that, the patient takes a full course of tablets.
Malaria Prevention:
- Wear long sleeves and full-length clothes. Plus use insect repellent that contains DEET.
- Sleep under bed nets treated with insecticide (LLINs) every night.
- Additionally, spray the inside walls of homes (indoor residual spraying) where malaria is common.
Malaria in pregnancy:
This happens when the baby grows slowly in the womb, is born early, or both. Also, it can cause these problems:
- Malaria in the newborn (congenital malaria).
- Anemia in the mother.
- Miscarriage
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Malaria fever does not stay steady like a normal viral fever. It comes with severe chills, high fever, and heavy sweating. Futhermore, the germ destroys red blood cells, and this causes the chills. A cold or viral fever often brings a runny nose, sneezing, or a sore throat. And malaria does not. Instead, the fever returns every 24, 48, or 72 hours.
No, malaria cannot cure itself. Leaving it untreated is very dangerous. Symptoms may fade for a while when the germ changes stage. Also, the infection stays active in the blood or liver. Without medicine, the germs keep growing fast. Falciparum can become severe within 24 hours. It can then cause brain damage or organ failure.
The first symptoms of malaria are high fever, chills, headache, and body aches. And heavy sweating often follows. So do tiredness, nausea, and vomiting.
With proper treatment, malaria usually clears in 1 to 2 weeks. The time depends on the type of germ. It also depends on how severe the illness is and how fast treatment starts. Most patients feel better within 48 to 72 hours.
No, malaria is not contagious. In addition, it does not spread by touch, coughing, sneezing, or sharing food. And an infected Anopheles mosquito spreads it through its bite. Also, in rare cases, it can pass on through blood transfusion or an organ transplant. A mother can also pass it to her baby during pregnancy or birth.
Reference
Moreover, this guide uses trusted medical sources. Also, each link below opens the source page
World Health Organization (WHO) explains key facts, symptoms, and prevention in its fact sheet
CDC explains symptoms, incubation, relapses, and pregnancy risks
WHO guidelines give treatment and prevention advice
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for education and awareness only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Malaria is a serious infection. Taking antimalarial medicines without a doctor’s advice can cause harm and drug resistance. If you have a high fever with chills, see a qualified doctor right away.
About the Author
Dr. Sufiyan Awan (MBBS) is a medical doctor and health writer. Futhermore, he worked as a House Officer at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Also, there he treated many patients. He also took training from the World Health Organization (WHO). He writes clear, evidence-based articles. Plus, they help people understand health topics easily.