What is the malaria life cycle?

An infected mosquito injects malaria parasites while feeding. The parasites first travel to liver cells, where they multiply. They then enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells. As affected cells break down, fever, chills, sweating, headache, and muscle aches may occur. Some parasite forms can remain in the liver and later reactivate, depending on the malaria species, which is why the treatment plan must match the infection.

If you have fever after travel to a malaria area, tell a clinician about the destination and dates even if the trip was some time ago. A blood test can look for parasites and guide treatment. Take all prescribed medicine and attend follow-up as advised. For future trips, a travel health consultation can cover mosquito precautions and preventive medication.

Seek emergency help for confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, collapse, severe drowsiness, repeated vomiting, or rapidly worsening fever. These symptoms may reflect complications while parasites are affecting blood cells and organs.

Ask which parasite species is suspected, whether the test needs repeating, whether liver stages affect the medicine chosen, and how to recognise relapse or worsening illness. Before travel, ask when preventive medicine should start and stop.