Malaria is a disease caused by a
family of parasites called Plasmodium
Malaria is transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes
The female Anopheles mosquito gets the parasite when
it bites a person who is infected with the malaria parasite.
The mosquito then spreads malaria when biting other people.
Malaria occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical parts
of the world such as Central and South America, Southeast
Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and the South
Pacific Islands. Anopheles mosquitoes bite during nighttime
hours, from dusk to dawn.
Symptoms usually appear 7 to 30 days after an
infective bite and include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweats
- Headache
- Breathing problems
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cough
Sometimes malaria causes fluid in the lungs, liver and
kidney failure, swelling of the brain, coma, and even
death can happen. Symptoms can appear months after an
infected bite with some types of malaria. Also, some types
of malaria can recur for years if not treated appropriately.
Malaria is usually associated with travel outside
the U.S.
Most of the malaria seen in the United States is "imported"
by travelers to or immigrants from countries where malaria
is common. Rarely, malaria can also be transmitted from
an infected mother to her baby and by blood transfusions
from an infected donor. Very rarely, malaria has been
spread in the U.S. by infected mosquitoes that arrive
on international airplanes or by mosquitoes here that
have bitten an infected person.
A blood test and treatment are available for
malaria
The parasite can be seen in blood viewed under a microscope.
Malaria can be very dangerous and even fatal if it is
not treated. Early treatment reduces the chances of complications.
See your doctor right away if you think you may have malaria.
Make sure you inform your doctor of any recent travel
and any medications you took while travelling.
You can prevent malaria when travelling to areas
where malaria is common
- Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin.
- Wear long clothing from dusk to dawn.
- Stay in well-screened areas and sleep under mosquito
netting.
- Check with your doctor and local or state health
department for current recommendations on prescription
medications to prevent malaria, or call the CDC's Malaria
Hotline at (404) 332-4555.
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Maryland Department of Health &
Mental Hygiene
— Epidemiology & Disease Control Program
May 2002 |
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