Malaria

healthline.com /health/malaria

Medically Reviewed by Justin Choi, MD on July 18, 2017 Written by Darla 7/18/2017
Burke

What is malaria?

Highlights
1. Malaria is a life-threatening disease thats typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles
mosquito.
2. Malaria is usually found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites that cause it live.
3. Congenital malaria occurs when a mother with malaria passes on the disease to her baby at birth.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease. Its typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your
bloodstream.

Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature
parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells. Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the
red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open. Learn more about mosquitoes and treating
mosquito bites.

The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three
days at a time.

Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites can live. The World Health
Organization (WHO) estimates that about 3.2 billion people are at risk of malaria.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report 1,700 cases of malaria annually.
Most cases of malaria develop in people who travel to countries where malaria is more common.

Causes

What causes malaria?

Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites you. An infected mother can also pass
the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria. Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also
be transmitted through:

an organ transplant
a transfusion
use of shared needles or syringes

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of malaria?

The symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to 4 weeks following the infection. In some people,

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symptoms may not develop for several months. Some malarial parasites can enter the body but will be dormant for
long periods of time. Common symptoms of malaria include:

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Diagnosis

How is malaria diagnosed?

Your doctor will be able to diagnose malaria. During your appointment, your doctor will review your health history,
including any recent travel to tropical climates. A physical exam will also be performed. Your doctor will be able to
determine if you have an enlarged spleen or liver. If you have symptoms of malaria, your doctor may order
additional blood tests to confirm your diagnosis. These tests will show:

whether you have malaria

what type of malaria you have
if your infection is caused by a parasite thats resistant to certain types of drugs
if the disease has caused anemia
if the disease has affected your vital organs

Complications

Life-threatening complications of malaria

Malaria can cause a number of life-threatening complications. The following may occur:

swelling of the blood vessels of the brain, or cerebral malaria

an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that causes breathing problems, or pulmonary edema
organ failure of the kidneys, liver, or spleen
anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells
low blood sugar

Treatment

How is malaria treated?

Malaria can be a life-threatening condition. Treatment for the disease is typically provided in a hospital. Your doctor
will prescribe medications based on the type of parasite that you have. In some instances, the medication prescribed
may not clear the infection because of parasite resistance to drugs. If this occurs, your doctor may need to use more
than one medication or change medications altogether to treat your condition.

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Outlook

What is the long-term outlook for people with malaria?

People with malaria who receive treatment typically have a good long-term outlook. If complications arise as a
result of malaria, the outlook may not be as good. Cerebral malaria, which causes swelling of the blood vessels of
the brain, can result in brain damage. The long-term outlook for patients with drug-resistant parasites may also be
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poor. In these patients, malaria may recur. This may cause other complications.

Prevention

Tips to prevent malaria

Theres no vaccine available to prevent malaria. Talk to your doctor if youre traveling to an area where malaria is
common or if you live in such an area. You may be prescribed medications to prevent the disease. These
medications are the same as those used to treat the disease and should be taken before, during, and after your trip.

Talk to your doctor about long-term prevention if you live in an area where malaria is common. Sleeping under a
mosquito net may help prevent being bitten by an infected mosquito. Covering your skin or using bug sprays
containing DEET may also help prevent infection. If youre unsure if malaria is prevalent in your area, the CDC has
an up-to-date map of where malaria can be found.

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