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Malaria
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Malaria

Malaria is a serious, potentially life-threatening disease caused by a parasite transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Overview

While malaria is a major cause of death worldwide, it is almost eradicated in the United States. The disease is primarily a concern in developing countries with warm climates. There are four types of malaria caused by four related parasites, with the most deadly type occurring in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of malaria include:

  • Chills
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaundice

The disease is diagnosed via a blood test and treated with specific drugs determined by the type of malaria and the location of infection.

Prevention

When traveling to areas where malaria is present, you can take the following precautions:

  • Consult your doctor for protective medications.
  • Wear insect repellent containing DEET.
  • Cover your skin with clothing.
  • Sleep under mosquito netting.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re staying in an urban area with good air‑conditioned housing, screened windows, and reliable mosquito control, the risk is lower, but it’s not zero. Many travel clinics still recommend a short‑course prophylactic drug for any travel to endemic regions, especially if you might venture outdoors in the evenings. Discuss your exact itinerary with a clinician.
RDTs give results in 15‑20 minutes and are highly sensitive for the most common species (P. falciparum), but they can miss low‑level infections or mixed species. Microscopy remains the gold standard because it quantifies parasite load and identifies species, but it requires skilled technicians and more time. In most clinics, a positive RDT is treated as malaria while a negative result may be confirmed by microscopy if suspicion remains high.
Severe malaria may present with confusion or seizures, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, jaundice, dark urine, or a sudden drop in platelet count. If you develop any of these, seek medical attention immediately; severe disease can progress quickly to organ failure.
Yes, but drug choice matters. During the first trimester, medications such as chloroquine (if the parasite is sensitive) or mefloquine are preferred because they have the best safety data. In later pregnancy, atovaquone‑proguanil or artemisinin‑based combination therapies may be used under close supervision. Always discuss with your obstetrician or a travel medicine specialist before starting any prophylaxis.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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