This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by Plasmodium parasites and remains one of the most common reasons people fall ill in Nigeria. It typically causes fever, chills and body aches a week or more after a bite from an infected mosquito. Because many fevers are not malaria, the standard advice is to test before treating.
Symptoms
Fever that may come and go
Chills and shivering
Headache
Body and joint aches
Tiredness and weakness
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Bitter taste in the mouth
Causes & risk factors
Bite from an infected female Anopheles mosquito
Living in or visiting an area where malaria spreads
Sleeping without an insecticide-treated net
Stagnant water around the home where mosquitoes breed
Treatment & self-care
Get a malaria test (RDT or microscopy) before taking any medicine, then complete the full course of antimalarial tablets your doctor or pharmacist recommends. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use paracetamol-type relief for fever as advised. Sleeping under a treated net and clearing stagnant water helps prevent repeat episodes.
See a doctor urgently if
Fever does not settle within 48 hours of starting treatment
Repeated vomiting, so medicines cannot stay down
Confusion, extreme drowsiness or convulsions
Dark or very little urine, or yellow eyes
Fever in a pregnant woman or a child under five
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Malaria?
Early signs often include fever that may come and go, chills and shivering, headache. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Malaria be treated?
Get a malaria test (RDT or microscopy) before taking any medicine, then complete the full course of antimalarial tablets your doctor or pharmacist recommends. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use paracetamol-type relief for fever as advised. Sleeping under a treated net and clearing stagnant water helps prevent repeat episodes.
When should I see a doctor about Malaria?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: fever does not settle within 48 hours of starting treatment; repeated vomiting, so medicines cannot stay down; confusion, extreme drowsiness or convulsions; dark or very little urine, or yellow eyes; fever in a pregnant woman or a child under five.