Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. India has a significant malaria burden, with transmission concentrated in specific states and tribal areas — though national case numbers have dropped substantially with control programmes. The two main species in India are P. vivax and P. falciparum; falciparum is the more dangerous form.

Symptoms

Usually 7-30 days after a mosquito bite (sometimes longer for vivax):

• High fever with chills — classically in cycles (every 48 hours for vivax, every 48-72 hours for falciparum)
• Shivering, sweating after the fever breaks
• Headache
• Body aches
• Nausea, vomiting
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• In severe falciparum — rapid breathing, confusion, seizures, jaundice, severe anaemia, kidney failure, coma. Can progress quickly.

When to seek urgent care

Falciparum malaria can become life-threatening within hours. Go to hospital urgently — dial 112 — for:

• Confusion or drowsiness
• Breathing difficulty
• Severe vomiting, inability to keep fluids down
• Jaundice
• Very weak, fast pulse
• Reduced urine
• Seizures

Diagnosis

• Blood smear — microscopic examination of a drop of blood; identifies the species
• Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) — widely used; gives results in minutes
• Both tests are free at government health facilities

Treatment

Malaria is treatable. Specific antimalarial medicines are chosen based on the species, severity, and local resistance patterns. The Indian national programme provides free diagnosis and treatment at government health facilities. Complete the full course even after you feel better — incomplete treatment causes relapse and drives resistance.

Severe falciparum malaria is a medical emergency, managed with intravenous antimalarials and supportive care in hospital.

Prevention

• Stop mosquito bites — Anopheles mosquitoes bite mostly at dusk and through the night
• Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
• Mosquito repellents on exposed skin at night
• Window and door screens
• Long sleeves and trousers after dusk
• Indoor residual spraying where offered
• Reduce mosquito breeding — Anopheles breeds in pools, puddles, paddies, rain-water containers. Clean up standing water; support community drainage efforts
• Malaria prophylaxis — for travellers to high-risk areas; consult a travel doctor
• Prompt testing for any fever in endemic areas — don't wait to see if it clears