How malaria can be transmitted

The parasite first enters the blood and then develops in the liver before infecting red blood cells. Malaria does not spread through ordinary contact such as touching, sharing food, or sitting near someone. Rare transmission can occur through infected blood or from a pregnant person to a baby, so medical history and travel details matter.

After travel or residence in an area where malaria occurs, fever may come with chills, sweating, headache, or muscle aches. These symptoms can resemble other illnesses, so they do not identify the cause by themselves. Read more about [Malaria](/conditions/malaria/) and related [Fever](/symptoms/fever/).

Use an approved insect repellent, wear clothing that covers the skin, and sleep behind intact screens or under a properly used mosquito net when advised. A travel clinician can match prevention to the destination, season, accommodation, health conditions, and medicines you take.

If you develop fever during travel or after returning, tell the clinician where you went and when. A [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) can help assess malaria; do not rely on prevention medicine to rule it out.

Seek urgent medical assessment for fever, chills, marked weakness, confusion, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, or fainting after possible exposure. Malaria can worsen quickly, and symptoms may begin after you have left the exposure area. Mention recent travel even if the bite was not noticed.

Ask which [Malaria Prophylaxis](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/malaria-prophylaxis/) suits your itinerary, when to start and stop it, and what to do after a missed dose. Ask whether a [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) is appropriate before departure.