What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the bites of mosquitoes infected with parasites.

Diagnosis

Through a blood test to check for the malaria parasite in the blood

Symptoms

High fever
Muscle Pain
Shaking Chills
Headache
Nausea, Vomiting or diarrhoea
(it takes 10 to 30 days for malaria symptoms to take effect)

Treatment

The most common antimalarial drugs include:
  • chloroquine
  • Doxycycline
  • Mefloquine
  • Atovaquone/Proguanil
  • Artemether/Lumefantrine

If Left Untreated, Malaria May Cause

Kidney failure
Seizures
Coma/death

Prevention

Clothing Wear clothing that covers most of the exposed skin.
Nets Use insecticide-treated bed or mosquito nets.
Insect Repellents Apply an insect repellent directly to your skin, except around your mouth and eyes.
Spray Use mosquito spary to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Who are at risk

Pregnant women are at HIGH RISK. Severe complications of malaria in pregnancy include:
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • premature delivery
  • Severe maternal anaemia
  • Stillbirth
  • High risk of death

Precaution

Pregnant women are at HIGH RISK. Severe complications of malaria in pregnancy include: Do not ignore symptoms. See your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis and Prompt treatment can prevent deaths.

Malaria - Fast Facts

  • Malaria means 'bad air' in Italian.
  • Mosquitoes that cause malaria usually bite at nite.
  • Malaria is one of the oldest diseases.
  • Some of the Egyptian mummies have been found to have signs of malaria.
  • 13 to 15 years is the time taken to research and develop a new antimalarial drug - A complex process!
25%
Good News! Malarial deaths have fallen by 25% since 2000