Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health Symptoms of Malaria By Heidi Moawad, MD facebook linkedin Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and expert in the field of brain health and neurological disorders. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications. Learn about our editorial process Heidi Moawad, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD on July 11, 2019 Andy Miller, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and infectious disease. He is an associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Learn about our Medical Review Board Andy Miller, MD Updated on July 17, 2019 Print Malaria Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment In This Article Table of Contents Expand Frequent Symptoms Less Common Symptoms Complications Recurrent Infections When to See a Doctor View All Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite. If you have malaria, you are likely to experience a number of vague symptoms that are typical of most infections, as well as some trademark symptoms that are more specifically associated with a malaria infection. The physical effects of malaria occur largely because the parasite invades red blood cells, producing toxins, causing anemia (low red blood cell function), and potentially blocking small blood vessels throughout the body. © Verywell, 2018. Frequent Symptoms Symptoms of the illness tend to occur in cycles, which correspond to the life cycle of the parasite. During different phases of the parasite’s life cycle, there is a variation in how the organism itself affects red blood cells and there is a variation in the impact of the resulting toxins on the body. There are several different species of malaria parasites, and they all cause similar symptoms. However, the differences manifest with the varying time course of the illness. You are likely to experience an incubation period after exposure to the parasite, with a delay in symptom onset. The first signs of malaria occur between one to four weeks after exposure and may take substantially longer in some instances. The most common symptoms of malaria are: HeadachesFatigue Low energyNausea Vomiting Myalgia (muscle aches)Stomach upset Diarrhea Cyclic Symptoms Cycles of fever that last from six to 24 hours may alternate with rounds of chills, shaking, and daytime sweating or night sweats. This cyclic characteristic is often the most recognizable sign of malaria, distinguishing it from other infections, and will typically prompt your doctor to test you for malaria. Cyclic Malaria Symptoms Fever, which can be very highChillsSweatsNight sweatsShaking Less Common Symptoms Malaria can affect several body systems, particularly if it is untreated. Less common symptoms of malaria include: Jaundice: (yellow color of the skin or eyes)CoughingShortness of breath caused by fluid in the lungsExpanded abdomen caused by an enlarged spleenHypoglycemia (low blood sugar) If you notice these, particularly after travel to a malaria-prone area, seek prompt medical attention. Complications If you have immune system deficiencies, or if you are not in good health, you are more likely to develop complications. However, a healthy person with a strong immune system may develop complications of malaria, even with recommended treatment. Serious complications affect 30 to 60% of adults and children with malaria in nonendemic areas. In areas where malaria is endemic, cases are generally far more mild. Thrombocytopenia A low platelet count can interfere with blood clotting, manifesting as excessive bleeding or excessive blood clots. Anemia Mild anemia occurs with malaria infection. Sometimes, the infection can become advanced, causing a severely low red blood cell count or profoundly diminished red blood cell function. The symptoms of anemia include fatigue, headaches, and low blood pressure. Kidney Involvement Parasites inside the red blood cells may cause blockage of tiny vessels in the kidneys or red blood cells may clump due to toxins. This can interfere with normal kidney function and may cause pain. Brain Involvement Cerebral malaria, a condition in which the parasite is present in the blood cells in the brain, is relatively uncommon. Symptoms include seizures, motor weakness, vision loss, decreased consciousness, coma, and permanent neurological deficits or even death. Loss of Consciousness or Coma A rare complication of malaria, unresponsiveness can occur as a result of advanced disease, even without cerebral malaria. Death Malaria can result in death due to widespread complications. Prompt attention to symptoms is crucial to preventing not just the risk of mortality, but all complications. Children are more likely to die from malaria complications than adults with the infection. During Pregnancy Pregnant women have been found to have a higher than usual susceptibility to malaria. If the infection is not treated during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or the baby may be born with malaria infection. Recurrent Infections Most people who have a healthy immune system develop partial immunity to malaria. Repeated infections generally produce milder symptoms than initial infections, with a longer than usual incubation period due to the partial immunity. However, it is possible for recurrent infections to become severe and progress, producing serious complications, which is why preventive measures are necessary. When to See a Doctor If you have fevers, fatigue, new headaches, or persistent headaches, you should see your doctor because these are the signs of most infections. If you have cyclical fevers, chills, and sweats, this is specifically suggestive of malaria infection. Malaria Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. You should be familiar with the common signs and symptoms of malaria if you have been in a tropical climate and notice that you were bitten by mosquitoes, as this is the way through which malaria is transmitted. Malaria: Causes and Risk Factors Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Clinical aspects of uncomplicated and severe malaria. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 2012;4(1):e2012026. doi:10.4084/MJHID.2012.026 Iron-Deficiency Anemia. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Idro R, Marsh K, John CC, Newton CR. Cerebral malaria: mechanisms of brain injury and strategies for improved neurocognitive outcome. Pediatr Res. 2010;68(4):267-74. doi:10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181eee738 Doolan DL, Dobaño C, Baird JK. Acquired immunity to malaria. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2009;22(1):13-36, Table of Contents. doi:10.1128/CMR.00025-08 Additional Reading Demissie Y, Ketema T. Complicated malaria symptoms associated with Plasmodium vivax among patients visiting health facilities in Mendi town. Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis. 2016 Aug 22;16(1):436. doi: 10.1186/s12879-016-1780-z. Fried M, Duffy PE. Malaria during Pregnancy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2017 Jun 1;7(6). pii: a025551. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a025551.