Is malaria deadly?

Malaria is an infection passed through bites from infected mosquitoes. Parasites enter the bloodstream and may cause fever, chills, sweating, headache, or muscle aches. Severe disease can affect the brain, breathing, blood sugar, kidneys, or other organs. A person may become seriously unwell even when early symptoms seem similar to a routine fever.

If you have fever during or after travel to a malaria-risk area, seek same-day medical advice and mention the countries visited and dates of travel. A blood test can help detect malaria, and further testing may be needed if the first result does not explain the illness. Do not delay care while waiting for symptoms to settle. For future travel, ask about malaria prophylaxis and a travel health consultation before departure.

Go to urgent care immediately for confusion, fainting, a seizure, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, extreme weakness, yellowing of the skin, or inability to drink. A rapidly worsening fever after travel also needs urgent assessment. Tell emergency staff about recent travel, mosquito exposure, pregnancy, and medicines already taken.

Ask which test is appropriate, whether repeat testing is needed, which treatment is planned, and what symptoms should prompt a return visit. If you travel again, ask when prevention medicine should start and how long it should continue.