Malaria (original) (raw)
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Summary
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. You get it when an infected mosquito bites you. Malaria is a major cause of death worldwide, but it is almost wiped out in the United States. The disease is mostly a problem in developing countries with warm climates. If you travel to these countries, you are at risk. There are four different types of malaria caused by four related parasites. The most deadly type occurs in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
Malaria symptoms include chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice. A blood test can diagnose it. It can be life-threatening. However, you can treat malaria with drugs. The type of drug depends on which kind of malaria you have and where you were infected.
Malaria can be prevented. When traveling to areas where malaria is found:
- See your doctor for medicines that protect you
- Wear insect repellent with DEET
- Cover up
- Sleep under mosquito netting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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About Malaria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Malaria (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Malaria
(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)Malaria Tests
(National Library of Medicine) Also in SpanishChoosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Mefloquine (Lariam) (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Treatment of Malaria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Malaria Risk Assessment for Travelers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Malaria
(National Institutes of Health)Malaria (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Alternatives for Pregnant Women (Malaria ) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)