Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite, which is carried from person to person by infected mosquitoes. If you suspect that you are having an attack seek medical help immediately. The disease is commonly transmitted by an infected Anopheles female mosquito, which mainly bites at dusk and night.
The mosquito bite introduces the parasites from the mosquito's saliva into a person's bloodstream. Once inside the bloodstream, the parasites travel to the liver where they mature and reproduce.
Once the parasites have matured it re-enters the bloodstream again. Once in the bloodstream, they invade the red blood cells where they multiply quickly. The number of parasites increases until the blood cell bursts, when this happens the parasites then attack other red blood cells and so the cycle of infection continues.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, cough, stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting which may mislead you into thinking some other disease is responsible. Symptoms usually begin within 10 to 15 days after being bitten. If not properly treated straight away, people may have recurrences of the disease months later.
The fever and chills could be due to an infection not specific to the area being visited such as flu or other viruses. As a general rule, if you develop a fever in an area where the female mosquito is known to be present or you have passed through an active zone then start a course of treatment as advised by your doctor.
Malaria is particularly prevalent in tropical regions and occurs in Central and South America, Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia and Australasia.
Prevention
You can limit the risk of contracting malaria by taking the following measures:
- Use mosquito repellent on both your clothes and skin
- Keep arms, legs and feet covered
- Stay indoors from dusk
- Sleep under mosquito netting and, if possible in an air-conditioned room
Treating malaria
Malaria is treated with antimalarial medications; the ones used depends on the type and severity of the disease. Simple or uncomplicated malaria may be treated with oral medications. The recommended treatment for severe malaria is the intravenous use of antimalarial drugs.
A map of malaria distribution around the world can be viewed here.
This information is to complement and not replace the relationship with your family doctor. Always discuss your travel health requirements with your regular doctor or practice nurse.