Malaria: Know About Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

Malaria is one of those diseases many people have heard of, but not everyone truly understands. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s such a big global health concern—or what you can do to protect yourself—you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by parasites called Plasmodium. These parasites spread to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. nterestingly, the female Anopheles mosquito only transmits malaria. Unlike the Aedes mosquito (which spreads dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever) or the Culex mosquito (which spreads West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis), the Anopheles genus is specific to malaria transmission.

Unlike common viral infections like the flu, malaria is caused by a parasite, which makes it trickier to treat and control.

The disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 240 million cases of malaria occur worldwide every year, with children under 5 being the most vulnerable.

How Do You Get Malaria?

The short answer: mosquito bites. When an infected mosquito bites you, the parasite enters your bloodstream and heads straight for your liver. After multiplying there, it spreads to your red blood cells, causing the symptoms we typically associate with malaria.

Less commonly, malaria can spread through:

• Blood transfusions

• Sharing needles

• From mother to baby during pregnancy

Symptoms of Malaria: Why It Can Be Tricky to Recognize

One of the challenges with malaria is that it doesn’t always look like a tropical disease at first. In fact, it often mimics the flu, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. At the beginning, you might brush it off as just being run-down or having caught a seasonal virus. But malaria symptoms can escalate quickly.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Fever and chills (often in cycles): The hallmark of malaria is recurring fever. You may feel freezing cold with shivering chills, then suddenly spike a high fever, sometimes as high as 40°C (104°F). These cycles often repeat every 48–72 hours, depending on the type of Plasmodium parasite.

• Sweating: After the fever breaks, you might experience drenching sweats. This sweating stage can leave you feeling exhausted, weak, and dehydrated.

• Fatigue: Malaria parasites attack and destroy red blood cells. As your body struggles to keep up, you may feel overwhelming tiredness and weakness, much worse than with a common cold or flu.

• Headaches: Intense headaches are a common complaint, caused by inflammation and the body’s immune response to the infection.

• Muscle aches: Generalized body pain and muscle soreness make it feel like you’ve been hit by the worst flu imaginable.

• Nausea and vomiting: Malaria doesn’t just affect your blood; it can upset your stomach as well. Some people also experience loss of appetite and diarrhea.

If malaria isn’t diagnosed and treated quickly, it can progress to severe malaria, which is life-threatening. Possible complications include:

• Anemia: As red blood cells are destroyed, oxygen delivery to your organs decreases, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, and profound weakness.

• Seizures: Malaria can affect the brain, causing convulsions.

• Kidney failure: The infection can damage the kidneys, leading to reduced urine output or complete shutdown.

• Coma or death: In the most severe cases, especially with Plasmodium falciparum, malaria can rapidly progress to coma and be fatal without urgent medical care.

Professional tip: If you’ve traveled to a malaria-risk area and start feeling unwell—even weeks after returning—see a doctor immediately.

Types of Malaria Parasites

There are five main types of malaria parasites that infect humans. Each one causes malaria, but they differ in how severe the disease can be and how often relapses occur. The two most important are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. 

1. Plasmodium falciparum

• The most dangerous and widespread type.

• Responsible for most malaria-related deaths, especially in Africa.

• Can cause severe complications like cerebral malaria, kidney failure, and coma.

2. Plasmodium vivax

• Common in Asia and Latin America.

• Known for causing relapses weeks or even months after the initial infection, because the parasite can “hide” in the liver and reactivate later.

3. Plasmodium ovale

• Less common and usually milder than falciparum or vivax.

• Like vivax, it can also relapse due to dormant liver forms.

4. Plasmodium malariae

• Found worldwide but less common.

• Usually causes a milder but long-lasting infection that can persist for years if untreated.

5. Plasmodium knowlesi

• Originally a parasite of macaque monkeys in Southeast Asia.

• Now recognized as a significant cause of human malaria in the region.

• Can progress quickly and sometimes lead to severe illness.

So, while many people think of malaria as one disease, it’s actually caused by five different species of Plasmodium parasites, each with its own risks.

How Is Malaria Diagnosed?

Doctors usually confirm malaria with a blood test that detects the parasite in your red blood cells. In areas where malaria is common, rapid diagnostic tests make it easier to confirm cases quickly.

Malaria Treatment

The good news? Malaria is treatable if caught early. Treatment depends on the type of parasite and the severity of infection. The most common medicines include artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which are very effective against P. falciparum.

In severe cases, intravenous (IV) medications in a hospital setting may be necessary.

Can Malaria Be Prevented?

Yes—while there’s no universal vaccine that guarantees lifelong immunity, a layered prevention strategy can dramatically reduce the risk of infection. Prevention is often simpler, less costly, and less stressful than treating malaria after the fact. Key measures include:

1. Sleep Under Insecticide‑Treated Bed Nets (ITNs)

• Why it matters: The Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria bite most actively at night.

• Pro tip: Choose long‑lasting insecticide‑treated nets (LLINs), which can remain effective for several years and through multiple washes.

2. Use Mosquito Repellents Effectively

• Active ingredients to look for: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE).

• Application tips: Apply repellent to exposed skin and, if using sunscreen, put sunscreen on first and repellent second.

3. Wear Protective Clothing in the Evening and at Night

• Long‑sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks create a physical barrier against bites.

• Opt for light‑colored fabrics—mosquitoes are less attracted to them.

• For added protection, clothing can be treated with permethrin (a mosquito‑killing chemical safe for fabrics).

4. Take Preventive Medications (Malaria Prophylaxis) When Traveling to High‑Risk Regions

• Consult early: A healthcare professional can recommend the right drug based on your destination, medical history, and resistance patterns in the area.

• Common options include atovaquone‑proguanil, doxycycline, and mefloquine—each with specific timing and dosage guidelines.

• Start the medication before arrival (as advised), continue during travel, and for the recommended period after leaving the endemic area.

5. Support Mosquito Control in the Community

• Eliminate standing water: Buckets, plant saucers, gutters, and discarded tires can all become breeding sites.

• Participate in or support local spraying programs and community clean‑ups.

• Encourage proper waste disposal and drainage to reduce stagnant water sources.

Public health note: Combining these measures—rather than relying on just one—offers the strongest protection. This “integrated prevention” approach is what has led to major reductions in malaria transmission in several countries.

Malaria Vaccine: A Game-Changer

One of the most exciting developments is the rollout of malaria vaccines. The RTS,S vaccine has already been introduced in parts of Africa, and newer vaccines are under development. While not 100% protective, they’re a huge step forward in reducing childhood deaths.

The Bigger Picture

Malaria isn’t just a medical issue—it’s also an economic one. It affects productivity, education, and entire communities in high-risk regions. Global efforts to fight malaria combine research, vaccines, prevention programs, and improved access to treatment.

Is Malaria in One Country a Threat to Others?

Yes, malaria in one country can pose a threat to others, especially in today’s interconnected world. Mosquitoes that spread malaria do not travel long distances on their own, but people do. When infected travelers move across borders—whether for work, tourism, or migration—they can carry the parasite with them. If they arrive in regions where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes are present, the disease can take hold again, even in areas that had previously eliminated it. This is why global cooperation, strong surveillance, and cross-border prevention strategies are so important in the fight against malaria.

Final Thoughts

Malaria may be ancient, but it’s still a major challenge today. The key takeaways? It spreads through mosquito bites, causes flu-like symptoms, and can be deadly without treatment. But with prevention strategies, effective medicines, and promising vaccines, the fight against malaria is making steady progress.

If you’re planning to travel to a malaria-risk area, talk to your doctor about preventive medication and safety tips. And remember—early treatment saves lives.

Sources:

1. World Health Organization
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria World Health Organization

2. CDC
   https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/malaria/index.html

3. Stanford Health Care
   https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/primary-care/malaria/types.html

4. NCBI
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555962/

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
   https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/php/public-health-strategy/malaria-vaccines.html

6. Stanford Health Care
   https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/primary-care/malaria/types.html

7. NCBI / StatPearls
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555962/

8. CDC
   https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/malaria.html

9. MMV (Medicines for Malaria Venture)
   https://www.mmv.org/malaria/about-malaria/causes-malaria