Symptoms of Malaria
Symptoms of malaria typically begin within 7 to 30 days (known as the "incubation period") of being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, malaria parasites, particularly Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, can stay dormant in the liver for many months or years, in which case malaria symptoms may begin much later.
Over the counter proguanil tablets available without prescription. For preventing malaria in areas where there is a risk of infection. Recommended for visitors to malarious zones and non-immune citizens. Ask a doctor or phamacist about which malaria tablets are appropriate for you.
How Malaria Symptoms are Produced
Malaria parasites enter your blood if you are bitten by an infected mosquito. The parasites then travel to the liver, where they remain for a while before re-entering your bloodstream and invading the red blood cells. Once inside the red blood cells, the malaria parasites multiply.
Forty-eight to 72 hours later, the invaded red blood cells rupture and the malaria parasites invade yet more red blood cells. Symptoms of malaria are produced alongside the cyclical rupturing of the red blood cells.
Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria has flu-like symptoms including recurring bouts of fever, sweating (caused by a drop in body temperature), shaking chills and tiredness. Other symptoms of malaria include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice and muscle pain. Malaria symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Malaria can usually be cured with the correct and prompt treatment, but in severe cases of malaria there may be complications, such as:
- Anaemia caused by damage to red blood cells
- Low blood pressure
- Hypoglycaemia
- Kidney or liver failure
- Problems with blood clotting
- Premature birth or a low birth-weight baby if malaria is contracted during pregnancy
- Meningitis
- Convulsions
- A ruptured spleen and internal bleeding
- Respiratory failure caused by fluid build-up in the lungs
- Coma
Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious type of malaria parasite, infecting large numbers of red blood cells and potentially causing severe anaemia. Infection with Plasmodium falciparum requires urgent medical attention and hospitalisation. Plasmodium falciparum infection can kill you within a few hours of the first symptoms if treatment is not sought.
If you are infected with Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale malaria parasites, relapses of malaria infection may occur. This is because Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale have dormant liver stages that can become active again many months or years after the initial malaria infection. Treatment is available to help prevent relapses.
If you experience a high fever while staying in an area with a high risk of malaria or after returning home from a malarial area, see a doctor straight away. Take precautions against malaria by sleeping under a treated mosquito net.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mayo Clinic
MedlinePlus
