What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It causes an infection of your red blood cells, and can be life-threatening if not treated.

While malaria is mostly found in tropical countries, Australia was certified as malaria free in 1981. Malaria cases in Australia are caused by people travelling overseas.

When travelling to areas affected by malaria, it's important that you take steps to avoid becoming infected. Like many diseases, it is better avoid catching malaria than to treat it.

Where is malaria found?

Malaria is common in parts of:

• Asia
• Africa
• Central and South America
• Eastern Europe
• South Pacific

What symptoms are related to malaria?

Malaria symptoms can be mild or severe. Mild symptoms include:

• fever that can come and go, or might be constant
• chills and sweats
• headache

Serious symptoms are:

• fatigue (feeling very tired)
• confusion
• seizures
• difficulty breathing

If you catch malaria, you usually start to feel unwell about 10 to 15 days after infection.

Symptoms may be mild for some people, especially if you have had malaria before. Because some malaria symptoms are not specific, getting tested early is important. Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death.

Sometimes symptoms develop weeks or months after infection. Some types can come back months or years later.

Am I at risk of severe malaria infection?

People most at risk of severe infection from malaria are:

• children under 5 years — the disease can progress very quickly
• pregnant people
• travellers
• people with HIV or AIDS

Take care if you are pregnant, as malaria can raise your chance of:

• having a premature baby
• having a small baby
• miscarriage
• stillbirth

What causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by parasites in the plasmodium family. These parasites are passed to humans by an infected female mosquito. Not all types of mosquitoes carry the infection.

There are 5 plasmodium parasite species that cause malaria in people.

Very rarely, malaria can spread through blood transfusions. However, blood from donors that's identified as having a risk of exposure to malaria is screened.

How is malaria diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose malaria with a special blood test.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the parasites that cause malaria. In these cases, your blood test may need to be repeated.

When should I see my doctor?

If you get symptoms of malaria during or after travel, you should see a doctor straight away. It's important that your doctor knows about your travel history.

How is malaria treated?

If your doctor diagnoses malaria, it's important that you start antimalarial treatment as soon as possible. If you are very unwell, you will need hospital treatment.

Antimalarial medicines can be taken by mouth or given by an intravenous drip. How you take the medicines and for how long depends on:

• how sick you are
• which type of parasite you are infected with

You may also need treatment with paracetamol and fluids.

How can I prevent malaria?

There are 2 main ways to lower your chance of becoming sick with malaria:

1. taking anti-malarial medicines
2. preventing mosquito bites

However, specific advice will depend on where you are visiting.

Visit your doctor or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. They can give you specific advice based on your travel itinerary and medical history.

Anti-malarial medicines

The Australian Government suggests taking antimalarial medicine before travelling to a malaria-infected area.

Antimalarial medicines do not always work due to antimalarial drug resistance. See a doctor urgently if you get a fever while travelling or after returning to Australia.

Preventing mosquito bites

To avoid mosquito bites, you should:

• use an effective insect repellent and use other products to deter mosquitoes (for example, mosquito coils or vaporising mats)
• in the evening, wear light-coloured long trousers and long-sleeved shirts
• sleep in a screened room or use mosquito nets that are treated with permethrin (an insecticide)
• do not do outside activities between dusk and dawn
• don't wear perfume or aftershave

Mosquito repellents should contain DEET, IR3535 or icaridin.

Taking these precautions will help lower your chance of being bitten by a mosquito. But it's important to remember that nothing can guarantee your protection from malaria.

Complications of malaria

Malaria infections can cause:

• kidney injury
• hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• severe anaemia
• septicaemia (blood poisoning)
• seizures

Resources and support

Download healthdirect's infographic guide to mosquito bites.

To learn more about staying safe from malaria while travelling, you can:

• read more about travel vaccinations
• check the Smartraveller website

If you need advice about malaria, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.