Malaria

Malaria is an important tropical disease which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

Malaria is an important tropical disease which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The risk areas include Africa, South-East Asia and the Americas. Flu-like symptoms, a feeling of being severely unwell and episodic high fever are typical. Good mosquito protection (mosquito net, insect repellent, etc.) and medical advice for travellers are recommended.

Symptoms

Incubation period: 7 to 30 days
Flu-like symptoms
- Chills
- Attacks of sweating
- Headaches and joint pains
High fever
- Fever episodes every 2 to 3 days
Feeling of being very unwell, anaemia
Loss of appetite
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Slight jaundice
Pressure, sometimes pain in upper abdomen
Life-threatening complications can occur
- Kidney failure (dark urine)
- Disorientation, possibly leading to coma
- Cardiac insufficiency, lung oedema

Causes and treatment

Causes

Pathogen: Plasmodium (parasite)
Transmission: through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito
Risk areas: Africa (90% of all infections), Asia, Central and South America

Risk factors

Staying in a risk area
- Sleeping without a mosquito net
- Being outside at night without mosquito protection
- Long time, rainy season
Risk groups
- Immunocompromised persons
- Pregnant women
- Children < 5 years
- Backpacker tourists
- Airport employees

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

Quick test
Blood test (laboratory, microscopic examination)

Possible therapies

Anti-malaria medication
Complicated disease course: treatment in intensive care unit
No vaccine is available
Self-treatment with emergency medication, if necessary

What can I do myself?

Before travelling to tropical/sub-tropical countries
- Medical advice for travellers (at least 6 weeks before departure)
- Emergency medication (self-treatment if malaria is suspected)
- Find out about vaccinations
Malaria prophylaxis (medication), if necessary
- Recommended before travelling to a high-risk area
- Weakens the disease progression
- Doesn’t prevent an infection, total protection is impossible
Protection against mosquito bites
- Cover the skin: light-coloured clothing suitable for the tropics (long trousers, long sleeves, hat)
- Mosquito net, mosquito screen
- Mosquito repellent
- Don't go outside at dusk
Don’t travel to risk areas
- Pregnant women and children < 5 years
- Immunocompromised and older persons

When to see a doctor?

After self-treatment with malaria emergency medication
Fever during or up to 12 months after returning from a trip to the tropics or sub-tropics
Jaundice
Weakness, reduced performance
Renewed symptoms after a diagnosed malaria infection
Feeling severely unwell