What happens if malaria is not treated?

Malaria parasites infect red blood cells and release more parasites as affected cells break down. This can produce cycles of Fever and Chills, marked weakness, headache, and Muscle Aches. The illness may progress to anaemia, jaundice, low blood sugar, breathing problems, kidney injury, seizures, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

Symptoms can worsen after travel or exposure in a malaria area, even if you felt well for a while after returning. The type of parasite, previous immunity, pregnancy, age, and general health affect risk. A fever after travel should therefore be assessed urgently rather than watched at home.

Seek urgent medical assessment if malaria is possible, and tell the clinician where and when you travelled, any prevention medicine used, and when symptoms began. A Blood Test can help detect malaria, but testing and treatment decisions should be guided by a clinician. Take prescribed antimalarial treatment exactly as directed and do not rely on Malaria Prophylaxis after symptoms have started.

Go to an emergency department for confusion, seizures, fainting, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, yellowing skin with severe illness, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. Fever after travel to a malaria area is itself a reason for same-day assessment, even when symptoms seem mild.

Ask which malaria tests are needed, when results should be repeated if suspicion remains, which treatment is appropriate for the travel area, and how to recognise deterioration. Before future travel, ask about a Travel Health Consultation and prevention options.