Malaria is a life threatening infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes carrying a Plasmodium parasite. Once inside the human body, the parasite causes infection in the liver and the red blood cells. Medline Plus explains that most of the symptoms of malaria result from the entry of parasites into the bloodstream, anemia caused by rupture of the red blood cells, and problems due to high levels of free hemoglobin in the blood following the destruction of the red blood cells.
Fever Chills and Fatigue
All forms of malaria cause flu-like fever symptoms, although the incubation period before the appearance of symptoms varies from 12 days to over a year, according to the Merck Manuals. The length of time depends upon the specific species of Plasmodium parasite involved in the infection. There are four different types: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. The World Health Organization notes that in some cases, symptoms may appear as early as just seven days after infection. The chills and fever are referred to as “malaria ague,” according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Malaria infection is characterized by cycles of chills, fever, sweating and fatigue. The level of fatigue may be extreme; the person feels exhausted, and sleeps. This cycle repeats every other day, or every three days for as long as a week or even a month.
Pain
Malaria causes flu-like pain symptoms. These include headache and myalgia, or generalized muscle ache, pain or tenderness in the skeletal muscles or throughout the entire body. Some people may suffer from back pain. The pain symptoms occur in conjunction with other symptoms.
Stomach Symptoms and Other Symptoms
Flu-like stomach symptoms of malaria include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A general sense of illness or malaise may accompany these and other flu-like symptoms. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services mentions cough as another flu-like symptom of malaria.
Severe Symptoms
Patients infected with the Plasmodium falciparum parasite who do not receive treatment may experience flu-like symptoms in conjunction with more serious and life-threatening symptoms. The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center notes that severe headache and high fever may accompany other symptoms indicating impeded brain function. Those symptoms include drowsiness, delirium and confusion. Convulsions and coma may follow.
