Why does malaria cause fever?

Fever is a very common presentation of Malaria. The temperature can rise with chills or shaking, then fall with sweating, and the episodes may leave a person exhausted. Headache, muscle pain, nausea, and diarrhoea may occur as well. Fever has many causes, including viral and bacterial infections, so a fever does not by itself show that malaria is present. Travel history and a test are important when malaria is possible, because symptoms can overlap with other illnesses.

Drink small amounts of fluid regularly and rest while arranging medical advice. Note when the fever started, the highest temperature you have measured, and accompanying symptoms such as chills, rash, vomiting, dark urine, or abdominal pain. Tell the clinician about travel, mosquito exposure, and medicines. Use fever medicine only as directed by a clinician or pharmacist, especially if you have liver, kidney, stomach, or bleeding problems. Do not delay testing because the fever eases for a time.

Arrange urgent assessment for a fever after travel to a place where malaria occurs. Call emergency services for confusion, a seizure, fainting, breathing difficulty, blue lips, severe weakness, persistent vomiting, or inability to drink. Seek prompt care for a child with fever who is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, or feeding poorly. If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, contact a clinician promptly for fever after potential exposure.

Ask which malaria test is appropriate, whether follow-up testing may be needed, and what to do if the fever returns. You can also ask whether other travel-related infections need to be ruled out and how to manage fluids safely.