Which type of malaria is most dangerous?

Malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes and may cause fever, chills, sweating, headache or muscle aches. Falciparum infection can worsen before the illness seems dramatic, and complications can involve confusion, seizures, severe anaemia, low blood sugar or organ problems. Symptoms may appear after travel and can start after you return home, so tell the clinician which countries you visited and when. A fever after travel to a malaria area needs medical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Contact a medical service promptly for fever or flu-like symptoms after possible malaria exposure. A blood test may be needed, and testing can sometimes need repeating if symptoms continue. Take only treatment prescribed for the suspected species and travel history; do not rely on ordinary fever medicine to treat the infection. For future travel, arrange a travel health consultation early enough to discuss mosquito avoidance and malaria prophylaxis.

Go to emergency care immediately for confusion, fainting, a seizure, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the eyes, very dark urine or inability to drink. Fever with shaking chills after travel is also a reason for urgent assessment. Malaria can deteriorate quickly, so do not wait for symptoms to settle or for a routine appointment if you feel seriously unwell.

Ask which malaria tests are needed, when results are expected, whether repeat testing is necessary, and which warning signs require hospital care. Share your travel dates, destinations, mosquito exposure and any prevention medicine taken.