Mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite from person to person.
Malaria, a serious and often fatal disease, is caused by parasites that are transmitted from one person to another by mosquitoes. Once in the human body, the parasites, called sporozoites, travel to the liver where they mature and change into merozoites. These then enter the blood stream where they multiply within and eventually rupture the red blood cells.
Each year 1,500 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States, usually in returning travelers. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2008, there were 190 million to 311 million clinical episodes of malaria worldwide resulting in 708,000 to 1,003,000 deaths.
Signs and Symptoms of Uncomplicated Malaria
The first symptoms of malaria will usually occur as early as 10 days or as long as four weeks after infection. In some cases, symptoms have been known to appear as long as a year after infection, especially in patients who have taken antimalarial drugs when visiting areas where malaria might be prevalent. Many of the symptoms of malaria are the result of the massive influx of the merozoites into the bloodstream and the subsequent destruction of red blood cells. Most frequently, those suffering from malaria experience a combination of symptoms including fever, chills, sweating, body aches, headaches, nausea and vomiting, as well as general fatigue. These symptoms can be misdiagnosed as flu or other common infections, especially in countries where malaria is uncommon. Those who have contracted malaria may also have an increased respiratory rate, enlarged spleen, mild anemia, weakness, enlargement of the liver and mild jaundice. The presence of parasites in the blood viewed under a microscope will confirm a diagnosis of malaria.
Signs and Symptoms of More Severe Malaria
The signs and symptoms of a more severe case of malaria include serious organ failure and metabolism abnormalities. Acute anemia, extreme respiratory distress, blood coagulation abnormalities, low blood pressure, kidney failure and hypoglycemia are also present in cases of severe malaria. This form of malaria is a medical emergency that should be treated aggressively with intravenous (IV) fluids and respiratory support. Long-term health complications resulting from severe malaria include liver and kidney failure and a ruptured spleen.
Additional Information
If you are planning to travel to countries where malaria is prevalent, you are encouraged to visit your health care provider four to six weeks before you leave on your trip to discuss options for vaccination and antimalarial drugs. This is especially important for infants, children and pregnant women.
For additional information on malaria, its signs and symptoms:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Malaria
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-232-4636 or TTY: 888-232-6348
cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html
MedlinePlus: Malaria
U.S. National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
888-346-3656
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000621.htm
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