QUESTION

Does “slight malaria”  mean you have malaria?

ANSWER

You have malaria if you are infected with the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. However, having a few of the parasites does not mean you experience symptoms of the disease.  Some forms of malaria, like P. malariae, can persist in a patient without causing any symptoms. However, in some cases, particularly P. falciparum and also P. knowlesi, a slight initial infection can rapidly increase in a severe, heavy infection, requiring immediate treatment. So it is important to to always consider a diagnosis alongside clinical symptoms as well as an appreciation of the different types of malaria and how they can progress.