Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted mainly through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Five species can cause malaria in humans, with P. falciparum and P. vivax being the most important globally. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential because malaria can progress rapidly to severe disease.
The malaria parasite has an important liver stage followed by a blood stage inside red blood cells. Severe infection can affect multiple organs.
Infection usually begins when an infected female Anopheles mosquito injects Plasmodium parasites during a bite. The parasites first develop in the liver before entering red blood cells.
After an infected mosquito bite, Plasmodium parasites enter the bloodstream and initially multiply in the liver. They then infect red blood cells, multiply and rupture them repeatedly, producing fever and other symptoms. Severe malaria can cause organ dysfunction.
Malaria is classified by Plasmodium species and by clinical severity. P. falciparum can cause severe disease, while P. vivax and P. ovale can form dormant liver stages that may cause relapse.
Human malaria is caused by P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and, less commonly, P. knowlesi. P. falciparum and P. vivax account for most malaria cases globally.
Fever
Chills or rigors
Headache
Sweating
Weakness or fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal discomfort
Confusion or altered consciousness in severe disease
Seizures in severe disease
Malaria is caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites. The usual route is the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Living in or travelling to a malaria-transmission area
Lack of effective mosquito-bite protection
Lack of appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis during high-risk travel
Pregnancy
Infancy and young childhood
Reduced immunity or limited previous exposure to malaria
Delayed diagnosis or treatment
Diagnosis is based on compatible symptoms and laboratory detection of malaria parasites, usually by microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test. Additional blood tests may assess anemia, glucose, kidney function and organ involvement.
Fever with chills or rigors
Elevated temperature
Pallor or signs of anemia
Fast heart rate
Low blood pressure in severe disease
Altered consciousness or confusion
Jaundice or other signs of organ involvement
Signs of dehydration
Malaria microscopy
Malaria rapid diagnostic test
Complete blood count
Blood glucose
Kidney function tests
Liver function tests
Electrolytes
Ultrasound when organ complications or another diagnosis is suspected
Chest imaging when respiratory complications are suspected
Brain imaging in selected patients with neurological complications
Peripheral blood smear with parasite identification
Parasite density assessment where available
Repeat malaria testing when initial testing is negative but suspicion remains high
Species identification
Additional microbiological testing for alternative or coexisting infections
Dengue fever
Typhoid fever
Chikungunya
Influenza and other viral infections
Sepsis from bacterial infection
Other causes of fever with chills
Malaria is not usually staged like cancer. Clinicians generally distinguish uncomplicated malaria from severe malaria based on clinical features and evidence of organ dysfunction.
Staging or grading systems differ between diseases. The information here is educational and should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of the individual case.
Treatment depends on the Plasmodium species, disease severity, drug resistance patterns and where the infection was acquired. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are important treatments for P. falciparum malaria. Treatment of P. vivax or P. ovale requires attention to relapse prevention when appropriate.
Artemisinin-based combination therapy for appropriate uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria
Species-appropriate antimalarial treatment for P. vivax and other malaria species
Primaquine or another relapse-prevention strategy for appropriate P. vivax or P. ovale infections after assessment for relevant safety considerations
Intravenous artesunate for severe malaria according to clinical guidelines
Supportive treatment for complications such as hypoglycemia, anemia or seizures
Medicines listed here are for educational information only. Do not start, stop, or change a medicine without professional medical advice.
Complications include severe anemia, cerebral malaria, seizures, impaired consciousness, respiratory distress, kidney injury, hypoglycemia, jaundice, shock, abnormal bleeding and death.
Confusion, reduced consciousness or inability to wake normally
Seizure
Severe difficulty breathing
Very weak, faint or collapsing
Severe jaundice or dark/bloody urine
Very low urine output
Persistent vomiting with inability to drink
Rapid worsening of fever or general condition
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Early diagnosis and effective treatment usually lead to recovery from uncomplicated malaria. Severe malaria is a medical emergency and can cause cerebral malaria, severe anemia, kidney injury, respiratory failure, shock or death.
Survival statistics describe outcomes in groups of people and cannot predict exactly what will happen to one individual. Prognosis depends on factors such as cancer stage, tumor biology, treatment response, overall health, and follow-up.
Malaria occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Transmission varies by geography, season, mosquito population and local parasite and drug-resistance patterns.
Prevention includes mosquito-bite avoidance, insecticide-treated nets, indoor vector-control measures, appropriate travel chemoprophylaxis and malaria vaccines in settings where recommended.
Was malaria confirmed by microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test?
Which Plasmodium species was detected?
Is the infection uncomplicated or severe?
What antimalarial treatment is appropriate for this infection?
Do I need testing for anemia, glucose, kidney or liver problems?
Could I have another infection such as dengue or typhoid?
Do I need treatment to prevent relapse?
What symptoms should make me return to the hospital urgently?
BimariDur provides educational health information to help people understand diseases, symptoms, tests, and treatment concepts. It does not replace examination, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Do not delay professional medical care because of information read on BimariDur.