Malaria - the disease

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2008.

This factsheet is for people who have malaria, or who would like information about it. For information on how to prevent getting malaria, see Related topics.

Malaria is an infectious disease mainly found in tropical areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and the Pacific islands (these are known as malarious regions). It's caused by being bitten by a mosquito carrying a type of parasite called Plasmodium.

About malaria

There are two categories of malaria.

• Malignant malaria causes symptoms straight away and can be mild or severe. It's caused by one type of malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
• Benign malaria is mild but may have a dormant stage and can cause relapses. This is caused by the other types of malaria parasite (for more information, see Causes).

Around 2,000 people a year in the UK get infected with malaria when abroad.

Causes

Malaria is caused by infection with a parasite called Plasmodium that is transmitted by mosquitos.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of malaria are like having the flu. You may have:

• a headache
• aching muscles
• tummy ache
• weakness or lack of energy

A day or so later, your temperature may rise (up to 40°C) and you may have:

• a fever
• shivers
• mild chills
• a severe headache
• a loss of appetite
• vomiting
• diarrhoea