Do I Have Malaria?

Have you lived in or visit areas where malaria is common?

Do you have a high fever (up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) with shaking chills?

Do you have profuse sweating when your fever suddenly drops?

Do you feel extremely weak and fatigue?

Do you have a headache?

Do you have muscle aches?

Do you have chest pain?

Do you cough?

Do you have abdominal discomfort or pain?

Do you have nausea and vomiting?

Do you have bloody stools?

Do you feel like you will faint when you stand up or sit down quickly?

Do you have yellowish tint to the whites of the eyes and skin (jaundice)?

Do you have convulsion or seizure?

Do you feel confusion and disorientation?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that enters your body through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Only female mosquitoes can transmit malaria parasites (Plasmodium parasites). These parasites infect and multiply inside your red blood cells and liver cells. Malaria is a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease characterized by flu-like symptoms, high fever and shivering. There are about 2,000 cases of malaria in the United States each year. Most cases are travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria is more common, such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have malaria. Malaria is a serious infection caused by parasites called plasmodia. These parasites enter your bloodstream by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. The period between exposure and the onset of symptoms varies from 7 to 30 days. Sometimes antimalarial drugs that travelers take for prevention can delay the onset of symptoms resulting in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. This could be very dangerous, because malaria must be treated urgently. Diagnosing malaria is based on your symptoms, your history of foreign travel, physical examination and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have malaria. Malaria is a tropical disease caused by single-celled parasites called plasmodia that are transmitted by the bites of the female Anopheles mosquito. There are at least five species of plasmodia parasites that can cause infection in humans. Malaria must be treated without delay. Your doctor will order various blood tests to determine the presence of parasites in your blood and possible complications caused by malaria. Treatment includes antimalarial medications. Treatment depends on many factors such as a severity of the disease, the type of malaria parasite you have, your age and weight.