ARCO FNSV Health Blog

If you have travelled to a country where malaria is present within the last 2 years it is imperative that you recognise what the Symptoms of Malaria are. Many people come back from countries where malaria is found, most commonly known as ‘malaria hotspots’, with the disease lying dormant in their bodies. The parasite can stay dormant in the victim for up to two years before the symptoms of malaria begin to show themselves. By this time the visit to the malaria hotspot can be long forgotten and the symptoms subsequently mistaken for those of the flu. This is because the initial symptoms are much the same to those of the flu such as tiredness, sickness, diarrhoea, high temperature, aches and pains in the muscles. Mistaking these symptoms in such a way can be very dangerous indeed. Most people in the midst of every day life will not think too much of the onset of flu and due to work, education or social reasons will just continue as normal and battle on through with the aid of pain killers and flu ailments. If it is not taken into consideration that these are in fact the symptoms of malaria too and that there is a distinct possibility that having visited a malaria hotspot that infection is possible, then the disease can develop and take a hold on the unsuspecting victim. Once the early symptoms of malaria have passed what follows are delirium and fits before a coma which will lead to death. Different circumstances can lead to the disease not being recognised until it is too late, what if you live alone and these supposed flu symptoms lead to you being bed ridden, with nobody there to see these actual symptoms of malaria having such an effect and seeking medical attention for you it is possible that you can develop the latter symptoms and possibly even die. This may sound extreme but it is a plausible scenario so always beware if you have been to a malaria hotspot that the Symptoms of Malaria are just like those of the flu and if you have been exposed in any way get yourself out if you get ill even up to two years after returning home.