Malaria: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention & Treatment

Dr.Prabhat Sinha, 2 mins read

Malaria is a serious health condition caused by the Plasmodium parasite. It is particularly dominant in tropical and subtropical regions.

People with this condition usually experience high fever with shaking chills and feelings of weakness. As always said, the best thing is to focus on prevention. Wearing protective clothing, using mosquito nets and taking prescribed antimalarial medicines may help you.

In case you get malaria symptoms, don’t ignore them and get yourself treated by a trusted and experienced healthcare professional.

Symptoms
The symptoms of malaria usually appear 10-15 days after being bitten by the infected mosquito. However, in some cases, it takes a longer time to show symptoms.

Here are the common symptoms of malaria:

• High grade fever with chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Nausea

If left untreated, malaria can progress to severe complications. These complications include organ failure (like kidney and liver failure), anaemia, seizures, coma and even death. Malaria in pregnancy poses other health related risks as well.

Prevention

• Use mosquito repellents
  Apply the mosquito-repellent creams on exposed skin whenever you go outside. It’s good to check their ingredients to know whether they are suitable for your skin type and needs.
• Wear protective clothing
  Cover your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and pants. This is more important during dusk and dawn as malaria mosquitoes are most active at that time.
• Sleep under mosquito nets
  Use bed nets treated with insecticides to create a physical barrier between you and mosquitoes while you sleep.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites
  Dengue mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. During rainy seasons, water accumulates in roads, old tyres, air coolers, flower pots and other open containers. This creates a perfect place for mosquitoes to breed. So, you need to remove or regularly empty any containers that can collect water.
• Take antimalarial medication
  If you are planning to travel to a high-risk area, consult your doctor about taking antimalarial drugs.

Treatment
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment play a crucial role in preventing further complications and making you feel normal again sooner. You will be recommended on an antimalarial medicine regimen based on your condition and the species of Plasmodium causing the infection.

It’s important to complete the full course of treatment as your doctor prescribes, even if you start feeling better before completing it. This helps ensure that all parasites are eliminated from your body.