Malaria Symptoms

Malaria "can lead to impaired function of the brain or spinal cord, seizures, or loss of consciousness." Infection with certain parasites cause severe symptoms and can be fatal.

Common symptoms of malaria:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Symptoms of malaria often cycle or fluctuate. "The cyclic pattern of malaria symptoms is due to the life cycle of malaria parasites as they develop, reproduce, and are released from the red blood cells and liver cells in the human body. This cycle of symptoms is also one of the major indicators that you are infected with malaria."

Malaria has a variable incubation time (the period of time between initial infection and the illness). Symptoms can appear as early as 7 days after infection. "Occasionally, the time between exposure and signs of illness may be as long as 8 to 10 months".

Source:
WebMD. "Malaria." Retrieved on 24 June 2009.