Malaria: Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment


What is malaria?


Malaria is a life-threatening disease of the blood, spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. The female Anopheles mosquito contracts the Plasmodium parasite, responsible for malaria, when it bites an infected person. The virus spreads in the system of the mosquito and reaches its salivary glands.

Soon after, when the mosquito feeds on a person, it infects him.

 

There are two types of malaria - the benign and the malignant.

  • Benign malaria is characterized by bouts of very high fever and incessant sweating, followed by bouts of feeling extremely cold to the point of shivering.
  • Malignant malaria begins with symptoms very similar to benign malaria and then proceeds to breathing complications, liver failure and shock. It can also affect the brain and the central nervous system of the body causing death.

 


How does malaria occur?

Once the infected mosquito bites a person, the plasmodium parasites enter the person’s bloodstream and travel to the liver where they multiply. From there, they again re-enter the person’s bloodstream and invade the red blood cells. In the red blood cells, they continue to multiply.

48 to 72 hours later, the red blood cells break down and release more parasites into the bloodstream of the person. The person then starts experiencing the symptoms of malaria such as sudden chills, high fever, headache, and shivering in cycles. The process repeats in a cyclical way. Each cycle is worse than the last.

As more and more red blood cells get attacked by the parasites, anemia (lack of red blood cells ) kicks in. Due to the damage to the red blood cells, less oxygen reaches the person’s brain, which affects the functioning of the other organs in the body as well.


What are the symptoms of malaria? How is malaria diagnosed?

The most common symptoms of malaria are:

  • cycles of chill/shivering and then sweating / high fever
  • fatigue
  • palpitations
  • nausea
  • headache
  • vomiting
  • muscle pain
  • enlarged spleen
  • back pain
  • dry cough
  • diarrhea


Diagnosis

 

The diagnosis of malaria can be done through microscopic and non-microscopic methods.

The blood smear (microscopic) test is considered to be a gold standard to detect and diagnose malaria.

A drop of the patient’s blood is spread out on a microscope slide which is stained so that the parasites get highlighted. The number of malarial parasites in the blood fluctuates at any given point of time. Therefore, specimens may be collected over 2 or 3 days after intervals of 8 to 12 hours to detect the parasites.


The non-microscopic tests include Rapid Diagnostic Test, molecular test, antibody test, and susceptibility test.


What are the complications of malaria?


In rare cases, malignant malaria can lead to complications such as:

  • impaired function of the brain or spinal cord
  • seizures
  • loss of consciousness


What is the treatment for malaria?


The treatment of malaria depends upon the type and severity of infection and the overall health of the affected person.

If you have benign malaria you will be treated at home. The doctor will prescribe anti-malarial medicines, and also advise you about the diet you need to take, along with plenty of rest.

If you have the malignant form of malaria, you will be monitored and treated in the hospital.

If a particular antimalarial medicine fails to work for you, the doctor may try a variety of medicines during the course of the treatment.

Would you like to consult a doctor for Malaria ?

Patient Experiences

Aman
Treatment for Allergic Reaction With Malaria Infection
I had an allergic reaction along with malaria infection. very well manged. I like his preventive tips which he gives specially depends on infection.thnk you Dr.Ankur Patel...Read Less
Doctor in this story :Dr. Ankur P. Patel
Ashirwad Family Care, Diabetes, Physiotherapy Clinic
Pankaj Kumar
Relief From Malaria & Viral fever
I didn't had to stand in a queue as i had booked appointment through Practo.com Treatment started timely, Dr. Was very cool, polite and experienced. He diagnosed & prescribed me medicine, and within a week i recove from viral fever & Malaria. Thank you Doctor....Read Less
Doctor in this story :Dr. Arup Dasgupta
Dasgupta's clinic

Questions answered by trusted doctors

Verified User
Is it necessary to get the blood test for malaria and dengue while chilling is going on or when your body is shivering .
Dr. B K Madhusudan
Homoeopath, Bangalore
In malaria, one typical symptom is chills and shivering. If you have fever along with, it may be malaria.
But even in urinary tract infections, you will get fever and shivering.
I suggest you to undergo blood test (TC & DC, ESR, test for MP) and urine routine too
Verified User
I am suffering from Malaria and I am unable to handle the vomiting sensation . What should I do and I am following the prescribed medicine
Dr. Sushma Shah
General Physician, Vadodara
HELLO, RECONCILIATION TO YOUR TREATING DOCTOR.
TILL THAN,

TABLET RABIPRAZOLE D JUST NOW OR BEFORE ONE HOUR OF DINNER. NOTHING BY MOUTH AFTER THAT. IT RELIEF YOUR VOMITING SENSATION.

CONTINUE THE TREATMENT GIVEN TO YOU BY TREATING DOCTOR.

PLENTY OF LIQUIDS SPECIALLY MILK AT LEAST THREE TIMES.  EVEN IF ONE BIG MUG. NOT GLASS FULL.

LIGHT DIET LIKE PORRIDGE, KHICHADI, MASSED CHAPATI WITH HOT MILK.

I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS.

O.K BYE.

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Did you know?

India is a country with one of the highest rates of malaria cases

In India especially malaria has been a problem for centuries. 58% of the malaria cases in South East Asia are from India. 22% of the population in India live in the high malaria transmission zones

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