Malaria Symptoms: An Overview
When a person becomes infected with
Plasmodium (the parasite that causes
malaria), the parasite begins to multiply within the body. Typically, after 10 to 30 days, malaria symptoms can begin. The period between infection and the start of malaria symptoms is called the
malaria incubation period. The incubation period for malaria can be as short as seven days or as long as several years.
Infection with malaria parasites may result in a wide variety of malaria symptoms, ranging from very mild symptoms to severe disease, and even death. Malaria disease can be categorized as uncomplicated or severe (complicated). In general, malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly.
Early or Uncomplicated Malaria Symptoms
In the first stages of the disease, most people have early malaria symptoms that can include:
- Fever
- Sweats
- Shaking chills
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Muscles aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea.
In countries where malaria occurs infrequently, these malaria symptoms may be attributed to the flu (
influenza), the
common cold, or other common infections.
Although it doesn't occur very often, malaria symptoms may follow a cyclical pattern. In these cases, malaria symptoms last for 6 to 10 hours, then get better. Every two to three days, depending on the type of malaria parasite, the malaria symptoms return.
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