Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of malaria are fever, headache, and nausea. If not treated promptly, malaria can lead to severe illness or death.
Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. There are four species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi. Malaria is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including large parts of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. In 2015 there were roughly 212 million cases of malaria worldwide resulting in an estimated 429 thousand deaths (mostly among children under 5 years old). Despite considerable efforts to control its spread, the number of cases has remained largely unchanged over the past decade or so due largely to drug resistance among parasites and mosquitoes as well as challenges in access to prevention measures such as mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying in at-risk populations.
There are two main types of malaria: cerebral (neurological) malaria which can lead to coma or death; and uncomplicated malaria which manifests as fever and flu-like illness but is rarely fatal if treated promptly with antimalarial drugs. Treatment for both types generally involves administration of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). ACT consists of an artemisinin derivative combined with another antimalarial drug such as mefloquine or lumefantrine; it is effective against all four human malarial parasites although resistance to artemisinins has been observed in some areas especially Southeast Asia . For cerebral malaria specifically, treatment also includes supportive care such as hydration and management of complications such as seizures or low blood sugar levels .
Prevention of malaria primarily focuses on avoiding mosquito bites through use of insecticide-treated bed nets , mosquito repellents , window screens , air conditioning , wearing long sleeves/pants etc., particularly during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active . In addition, prompt diagnosis and treatmentof infections is important to prevent progression to severe disease . Chemoprophylaxis (taking antimalarial drugs regularly to prevent infection) may be recommended for people who are at high risk for contracting malaria such as travelers going to areas where the disease is endemic .