After this stage, the new parasites produced in the liver re-enter the blood stream where they infect red blood cells and begin to multiply at a very rapid rate, destroying the cells they have infected. It is at this stage that the infected person begins to fall ill. The first signs of malaria are a general feeling of being unwell, usually with fever, aching and often headache. Malaria may also cause a variety of other symptoms and has been nicknamed 'the great imitator' . As a result malaria is easily confused with a variety of other common illness and not properly treated.
Untreated malaria can lead to severe anaemia, organ damage, convulsions, coma and death .
Malaria is diagnosed by the clinical symptoms, and when possible, microscopic examination of the blood. Uncomplicated malaria can normally be cured by antimalarial drugs, which may be obtained from health centres, pharmacies and shops. Unfortunately, in many areas the parasites have developed resistance to the most widely available and low-cost drugs. Patients in these areas require treatment with more expensive antimalarial drugs or drug combinations. Patients with severe disease require hospital care.