Symptoms of malaria fever

Malaria is an infection transmitted by certain mosquitoes. Fever may come with chills or shaking, followed by sweating as the temperature changes. Headache, weakness, nausea, and muscle aches can also occur. Symptoms may start after a delay following travel or residence in a malaria area, so tell the clinician where you have been and when you returned. A fever after travel does not confirm malaria, but malaria can worsen quickly and cannot be ruled out from symptoms alone.

Seek same-day medical advice for a fever after possible malaria exposure, even if the illness seems mild or you took prevention medicine. A clinician may arrange a blood test and decide whether repeat testing or treatment is needed. Until assessed, rest, drink fluids if you can, and record temperatures, travel dates, medicines, and mosquito exposure. Do not rely on leftover antimalarial tablets or delay care while waiting for symptoms to settle.

Go to urgent care or an emergency department for confusion, fainting, difficulty breathing, seizures, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, or rapidly worsening fever. A child, older adult, pregnant person, or anyone with reduced immunity should receive urgent clinical advice after possible exposure. Malaria can become serious even when the first symptoms resemble a routine fever.

Ask whether your travel history requires malaria testing, whether testing should be repeated if the first result is negative, and which warning signs should prompt emergency care. You can also ask how to prevent malaria on future trips and whether a travel health consultation or malaria prophylaxis is appropriate.