Malaria: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Malaria?
An infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats diseases caused by germs and parasites, usually treats malaria. Patients in the U.S. are typically treated in a hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. A parasite is a tiny living thing that lives in another living thing. Most people get malaria from the bite of an infective mosquito. People do not spread malaria to other people, like the common cold or the flu. Malaria is not sexually transmitted.
Malaria can be deadly if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly. Starting treatment as soon as possible can often prevent severe illness and death.
Symptoms
Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease. Early symptoms can include:
- Fever and flu-like illness.
- Chills.
- Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur.
If malaria is not treated quickly, the infection can become severe. Severe symptoms can include:
- Kidney failure.
- Seizures.
- Mental confusion.
- Coma.
Causes and who gets it
Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria from one person to another. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes carry malaria. If one bites a person with malaria, it can become infectious.
Malaria does not regularly occur or spread in the United States. In a typical year, the U.S. reports about 2,000 cases. Most cases are in people who got malaria while traveling to another country where it spreads, then came home.
If you travel to an area where malaria spreads, talk with your healthcare provider about medicines that can prevent malaria. Avoid areas with high mosquito activity, especially in the late evening and at night. Use a bug spray approved by the EPA. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants and socks. Keep windows and doors closed or covered with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
How doctors diagnose it
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose malaria. A lab test on a small sample of your blood confirms it. Doctors may suspect malaria from your travel, symptoms, and exam. A lab test must show the parasites or their parts. Doctors should ask about your travel in the past 12 months if you have a fever.
The usual lab test looks at a drop of blood, spread on a slide, under a microscope. This blood smear remains the gold standard for confirming malaria parasites. A negative smear makes malaria unlikely. Parasites can be hard to see early on. Blood smears should be repeated every 12 to 24 hours for a total of three sets before malaria is ruled out.
Some labs use rapid tests. They detect antigens, which are parts of the malaria parasite. A rapid test should be followed up with a microscope test to confirm the result. Doctors also order routine blood tests. These help show whether the illness is uncomplicated or severe.
Treatment
Prescription drugs in the U.S. can cure malaria. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose and treat malaria. Starting treatment right away is the best way to treat malaria. It helps prevent serious, life-threatening problems. The drugs prescribed and the length of treatment depend on:
- The type of malaria.
- Where the infection likely happened, because of the chance of drug resistance.
- Your age.
- Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- How sick you are when treatment starts.
When to see a doctor
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have symptoms of malaria and you have traveled in the last year to or from an area where malaria occurs. Malaria is a medical emergency. It can become life-threatening without quick diagnosis and treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, confusion or a sudden change in mental state, a seizure, or you faint.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A doctor like this can ask about your travel and set up quick testing. They can also talk with you about malaria prevention before a trip.
Common questions
Can malaria be cured?
Yes, prescription drugs available in the U.S. can cure malaria. Starting treatment right away is the best way to prevent serious problems.
Can you catch malaria from another person?
No, people do not spread malaria to other people the way they spread a cold or the flu. Most people get malaria from the bite of an infective mosquito.
Is malaria dangerous?
Yes, malaria can be a deadly disease if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly. Starting treatment as soon as possible can often prevent severe illness and death.
Is malaria common in the United States?
No, malaria does not regularly occur or spread in the United States. In a typical year, the U.S. reports about 2,000 cases, mostly in people who traveled to another country and returned.
Which mosquito spreads malaria?
Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria. Not all of them carry it, but one can become infectious after biting a person with malaria.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
