The CDC offers a thorough listing of malaria risk by country. [1] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Countries where you’re highly likely to contract malaria include Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, among others. The deadliest strains of malaria are found in Africa, south of the Sahara. [2] X Research source Note that the risk is posed not just to people who live in these countries, but also those traveling through them.
In the cold stage, they feel cold and shiver. During the hot stage, they experience fever, headaches, and vomiting. Children may experience seizures. In the sweating stage, the patient experiences fatigue and excessive sweating while the body returns to a normal temperature. Other symptoms include yellowed skin from mild jaundice and rapid breathing.
Strange behavior changes Loss of consciousness Seizures Anemia (you may look pale, feel very tired or weak, have dizziness, or have a rapid heart rate) Dark or reddish urine (from hemoglobin) Trouble breathing Abnormal blood coagulation Low blood pressure Kidney failure (decreased urine, swollen legs or feet from fluid retention, chest pain or pressure)[7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Low blood sugar (especially in pregnant women)
The doctor may also order a rapid blood test to indicate whether there’s significant risk of malaria. If the initial rapid blood test is positive, he or she will order blood smears to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will also test your blood for a CBC and test the function of your liver and possibly other organs.
Chloroquine (Aralen) Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin) Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Mefloquine Combination of atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone)
Pay attention to your body to pick up on these side effects, and report them to your doctor when you experience them. They may be able to give you additional medications to help combat them. Drink lots of fluids to prevent heartburn. Fluids are especially important if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. You lose a lot of water through these side effects, and have to rehydrate yourself to keep your body as healthy as possible. Stick to a bland diet to treat stomach upset. Stay off your feet, and don’t over-exert yourself if you’re having coordination problems. Your doctor will monitor you for signs of dehydration, anemia, and seizures. She will watch for complications affecting your organs.
The doctor will continue to test your blood smears while you’re being treated for malaria. If the treatment is successful, they will see a decrease in the number of malaria parasites in your blood with every smear.
You will begin taking primaquine two weeks after the malaria has passed. Your dosage and length of treatment will be based on your specific case: what kind of infection you had and how you responded to treatment. Most often, a two-week course is recommended. Follow your doctor’s instruction exactly. Do not adjust dosages up or down in any way, and take the medication on the exact schedule prescribed.
Cover your skin with long pants and sleeves, even in hot weather. Wear mosquito repellent at all times. Look specifically for products containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD, or IR3535. Check the packaging to make sure your products have these effective chemicals in them. Light mosquito-repellent candles to keep mosquitos out of your area. Stay in screened-in, air-conditioned areas where mosquitos are less likely to be. Use bed nets when sleeping in areas infested with mosquitoes.
