Malaria
Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite that is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. In Afghanistan it is most common in the warm eastern provinces, such as Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Khost, during summer and autumn. Malaria can be cured with the right medicines, but it can become dangerous, especially for young children and pregnant women.
Symptoms
- Fever that comes and goes, often with chills and shaking
- Heavy sweating
- Headache
- Body aches and tiredness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pale skin from low blood (anaemia) after repeated infections
Causes
- A malaria parasite passed on by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito
- Mosquitoes bite mostly in the evening and at night
- Standing water near homes and rice fields where mosquitoes breed
- Living in or travelling to malaria areas
Prevention
- Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net every night
- Remove standing water around the home
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening
- Use mosquito repellent and window screens
- Pregnant women and children should always sleep under a net
Treatment
- A blood test (rapid test or microscope) to confirm malaria before treatment
- Antimalarial medicines prescribed by a doctor; finish the full course
- Some types of malaria need an extra medicine to stop it coming back later
- Rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol for fever
- Severe malaria needs hospital care
- Do not start antimalarial or other prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
Can malaria come back after treatment?
Yes. The vivax type of malaria, which is the most common type in Afghanistan, can hide in the liver and return weeks or months later. A doctor may give an extra medicine after a blood check to prevent this.
Is every fever malaria?
No. Many illnesses cause fever, such as typhoid, flu and urinary infections. Only a blood test can show if it is malaria, so do not take malaria medicines without a test.