QUESTION:

Can malaria come back, and is it deadly?
ANSWER:

In some cases, and if not treated properly, malaria can come back. One example of when malaria comes back is when the infection is not completely cleared from the blood, for example if the full course of treatment is not taken. This is more common with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, as it can multiply rapidly in the blood. This characteristic makes it the most dangerous form of malaria, and if left untreated, is can often be deadly.

Other forms of malaria come back through different methods; for example, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale, have forms of the parasite that can sequester in the liver and remain dormant for long periods of time, even years. Once these liver stages return to the blood and start multiplying again, the patient will get a recurrence of malaria symptoms. It is possible to treat these liver stages, through taking specific medication; for this reason, it is crucial that if you suspect you might have malaria, you are diagnosed accurately to ensure that you receive the correct forms of medication to prevent the malaria coming back in any way.