Malaria

More than 600,000 people die every year from malaria. But what exactly is malaria and how can we protect ourselves?

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by plasmodium parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are mainly found in Central and Central America, Africa and the Far and Middle East.

The first signs of the disease are fever and chills. These occur in flare-ups every 48 or 72 hours. This is because the parasites all come out of the cells together and at that time a lot of waste products end up in the blood. The large number of parasites released can also clog blood vessels, causing cerebral malaria, for example.

The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid contact with mosquitoes by using mosquito nets and mosquito repellent. Medications can prevent the disease in people who do not live in the tropics. In the event of a flare-up of the disease, drug treatment is vital.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025