What should you know about demam malaria?

Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted by infected mosquitoes. A fever may come with chills, sweating, headache, weakness, or muscle aches, and symptoms can change over time. Fever after travel or residence in a malaria area should be taken seriously, even if the illness initially seems mild. Symptoms alone cannot confirm malaria because other infections can look similar. A blood test can look for evidence of the parasite and help guide treatment.

Contact a clinician urgently if you develop fever during or after travel to a malaria area. Tell them where you travelled, when you returned, whether you used mosquito protection, and any preventive medicine taken. Do not rely on leftover antibiotics or medicines from another illness. Drink fluids if you can and follow testing and treatment instructions closely. Before future travel, a travel health consultation can review destination-specific prevention, while malaria prophylaxis may be suitable for some itineraries.

Go to emergency care for confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, seizures, inability to drink, severe weakness, or a rapidly worsening fever. Malaria can progress quickly and may affect the brain, blood, kidneys, or other organs. Tell emergency staff about recent travel immediately, even if the trip was some time ago. A child, pregnant person, or person with reduced immunity should receive medical advice without delay after fever and possible exposure.

Ask which blood test is needed, whether repeat testing may be required, what treatment is appropriate for the suspected parasite, which warning signs require hospital care, and how to prevent malaria on a future trip.