Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes. The disease is caused by a parasite that the mosquito that is carrying. That mosquito gets the parasite by biting someone who already has malaria.
Malaria can cause many symptoms. Sometimes, malaria is mild. A person with malaria may feel fine, or they have mild symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches. Malaria can also be life threating. It can damage important organs like the kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen.
In young children, malaria can sometimes affect the brain. This serious condition is called cerebral malaria. It can cause confusion, seizures, or even death. That is why it is especially important to catch and treat malaria early.
Where does malaria come from?
In the United States, malaria almost always happens after travel to a country where malaria is common. These places include many countries in Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Malaria is also found in some parts of the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific. Malaria is very rarely acquired in the U.S., but in the past, there were a few people in Florida and Texas who acquired malaria in the U.S. Rarely, malaria can be passed from a pregnant person to their unborn child. It is possible to transmit malaria through blood transfusion, organ donation, or shared needles with an infected person, but these are uncommon.
What are the best ways to prevent malaria?
The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites. Here are some ways to stay safe:
- Use mosquito repellent (bug spray)
- Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs
- Sleep under mosquito nets treated with insect spray if you’re outdoors or in areas with lots of mosquitos
- To keep mosquitoes outside your home, close doors and install or repair window and door screens.
Not all bug sprays are safe for children. The CDC recommends using sprays with these ingredients:
- DEET – found in Off!, Cutter, and Ultrathon
- IR3535 – found in Repel and Off! Botanical
- Picaridin – found in Autan, Cutter Advanced, and Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus
Not all mosquito repellants are safe for all children. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidance for how caregivers can choose a safe and effective insect repellent for children. Always read and follow the directions on the product label. If you are planning a trip to a country where malaria is common, talk to your doctor. They may give you medicine to help prevent malaria. You usually start this medicine before your trip and continue it during and shortly after travel.
What are the signs and symptoms of malaria in kids?
Malaria can look like many other illnesses. Early signs include:
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Being cranky or fussy
- Not wanting to eat
- Trouble sleeping
These signs are often followed by chills and a fever. The fever may start suddenly or rise slowly. Fast breathing and discomfort may occur.
Because malaria looks like other infections, it is very important to tell your doctor if your child has traveled out of the country, especially if it was to a place where malaria is common. This helps them find the right diagnosis and treatment.
How is malaria diagnosed?
Healthcare providers may think someone has malaria based on their symptoms and travel history. When malaria is suspected, a healthcare provider might take a blood sample to check under a microscope for malaria parasites, which are seen inside infected red blood cells. Testing for genetic material of malaria parasite by PCR may be another test used to make the diagnosis. Since the malaria parasite damages red blood cells, blood count testing may be done to look for anemia.
How is malaria treated in kids?
If your child has malaria, the doctor will give medicine to fight the infection. This medicine may be taken by mouth or through an IV, depending on how sick your child is and what type of parasite is causing the illness.
Some children can be treated at home, but others may need to stay in the hospital. Doctors will watch for signs of dehydration, breathing problems, or other serious effects from malaria.