Malaria
Overview
Causes
It is caused by a mosquito bite. The mosquito passes parasites into the blood. They infect and destroy blood cells.
Rarely, malaria is spread by a transfusion of blood with parasites.
Malaria Cycle |
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SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms appear 10 days to 4 weeks after a mosquito bite. Common ones may be:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Cough
- Muscles aches
- Loss of hunger
- Diarrhea
Sometimes there is also:
- Yellow coloring of the eyes and skin— jaundice
- Dark or discolored urine
Treatments
Treatment
The goal is to treat the infection. Medicine will be given to kill the parasite. The type of medicine depends on:
- The type of parasite
- Stage of infection
- Medicines that were taken to prevent malaria
- Other health conditions, such as pregnancy
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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