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Malaria


Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the infection?

People who travel to an area where malaria exists should take antimalarial medications. The exact medication depends on the area and the type of Plasmodium there. Travelers can also help prevent mosquito bites by doing the following:

  • wearing protective clothing
  • wearing light clothing at night
  • avoiding the outdoors at night
  • using mosquito netting while sleeping
  • using insect repellents
  • What are the long-term effects of the infection?

    Long-term effects that may result if malaria is untreated are as follows:

  • very low blood count
  • respiratory failure
  • kidney failure
  • jaundice, or yellowing of the skin
  • low blood pressure
  • Infection in the central nervous system may cause the following:

  • confusion
  • decreased consciousness
  • seizures
  • possibly death
  • Some types of Plasmodium can cause chronic infection in the liver. This can cause a relapse many years after the first infection.

    What are the risks to others?

    Malaria is not spread directly from person to person. But if a mosquito bites an infected person, the mosquito can spread the disease to the next person it bites. Malaria may pass through the placenta of a pregnant woman and infect her fetus.


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