Malaria Symptoms

• With malaria, you develop a high fever, which comes and goes every other day or few days. How often a fever returns varies with each species of malaria.
  
  
• Many infections do not show this classic pattern of returning fevers at all. In many people the infection will seem more like the flu with high fever and body aches.
  
  
• People also will complain of headache, nausea, shaking chills (rigors), sweating, and weakness.
  
  
• As the infection progresses, the fevers get less severe and you seem to recover. But the infection can hang on in many people for several years, particularly for those with a long history of exposure to malaria.
  
  
• These people can develop some immunity and may be infected for many years while only rarely having symptoms.
  
  
• The different types of malaria each bring on their own complications.
  
  
  • P falciparum: You can develop severe hemolytic anemia (the red blood cells actually break down), kidney failure, coma, and death. Treatment is a medical emergency. Drug resistance has become widespread. Current information on disease patterns, prevention for travelers, and drug resistance can always be found through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Regional Malaria Information.
    
    
  • P ovale: This species also can cause anemia, but this infection is rarely life threatening.
    
    
  • P vivax: You can develop anemia and rupture of the spleen, which can become life threatening. People with P vivax or P ovale may relapse several months after the initial illness because of the persistence of dormant forms (called hypnozoites) remaining in the liver. These should be eradicated with medical treatment.
    
    
  • P malariae: This infection is rarely life threatening, but a long-standing disease can lead to kidney failure. If untreated, this infection can last throughout your life.

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Malaria - Symptoms and Signs Experienced

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