QUESTION

How long does a person have to get to a doctor if they suspect they may have malaria?

ANSWER

Once you suspect you have malaria (symptoms include very high fever, chills, head and body ache etc) you should seek care and have a blood smear done to identify the parasite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. If not promptly treated, infection with one type of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.  It is best to prevent malaria, but once you have it it is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease in order to get early and appropriate treatment.