Malaria is an infection brought on by a parasite.
There are several different species of malaria parasites, and they all cause similar symptoms.
The different symptoms manifest at different phases of the illness.
© Verywell, 2018.
This cyclic characteristic is often the most recognizable sign of malaria, distinguishing it from other illnesses and infections.
This feature will typically prompt your healthcare provider totest you for malaria.
Older children and adults in these areas may develop partial immunity and often experience milder cases.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Anemia
Hemolytic anemia(rupture of the blood cells) occurs with malaria.
The symptoms of anemia include fatigue, headaches, and low blood pressure.
This can interfere with normal kidney function and may also cause pain.
Symptoms include seizures, motor weakness, vision loss, decreased consciousness, and coma.
Cerebral malaria can lead to permanent neurological deficits or even death.
Death
Malaria can result in death due to widespread complications.
Prompt attention to symptoms is crucial to preventing complications and mortality.
Children are more likely to die from malaria complications than adults with the infection.
However, it is possible for recurrent infections to become severe and progress, producing serious complications.
This is why preventive measures are necessary, even if youve already had the infection.
If you have cyclical fevers, chills, and sweats, this is specifically suggestive of malaria infection.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
If properly treated, an uncomplicated malaria infection will resolve within two weeks.
If left untreated, malaria symptoms can rebound periodically over the course of years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malaria causes over 400,000 deaths every year.
Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L.Clinical aspects of uncomplicated and severe malaria.Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis.
2012;4(1):e2012026.
doi:10.4084/MJHID.2012.026
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About malaria.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Iron-deficiency anemia.
2009;22(1):13-36. doi:10.1128/CMR.00025-08
Buck E, Finnigan NA.Malaria.
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
2020;103(4):1534-9. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-0299
Zekar L, Sharman T.Plasmodium falciparummalaria.
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Elimination of malaria in the United States (19471951).
