Malaria: Prevention, Warning Signs and When to Seek Care

A fever is not always 'just malaria'

Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, mostly at night. In Nigeria it is a year-round risk, and it can become serious within days — particularly for children under five, pregnant women and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Because several illnesses start with fever — typhoid, viral infections, urinary tract infections and more — the safest first step when you feel feverish is a proper test, not immediate self-treatment. A simple malaria rapid test or blood film at our diagnostic centre gives an answer in minutes.

Symptoms to watch for

Malaria often begins like the flu, then worsens. Common symptoms include:

• Fever with chills, shivering and sweating
• Headache, body and joint pains
• Tiredness and general weakness
• Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
• In children: refusal to eat, unusual sleepiness, irritability or convulsions

When to seek care immediately

Some features suggest severe malaria, which can be life-threatening. Come to the hospital straight away — do not wait until morning — if there is:

• Confusion, unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking
• Convulsions or fits
• Repeated vomiting that prevents drinking or medication
• Passing very little or dark-coloured urine
• Difficulty breathing, or yellow eyes with deep weakness
• Fever in a baby under three months old

Prevention that actually works

Prevention is far cheaper and safer than treatment, and it works best as a combination:

• Sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net, especially children and pregnant women
• Screen windows and doors, and clear standing water around the home
• Use recommended mosquito repellents in the evenings and at dawn
• Pregnant women should take prescribed intermittent preventive treatment during antenatal visits
• Travellers from malaria-free countries should ask about preventive tablets before arrival

Treat promptly — and completely

If your test is positive, a doctor will prescribe the right medication and dose for your weight and age. Finish every dose even when you feel better after a day or two; stopping early invites treatment failure.

Our pharmacy stocks quality-assured antimalarials, and our laboratory can repeat a test to confirm the infection has truly cleared. If symptoms return after treatment, come back for review rather than repeating old prescriptions.