Severe malaria is malaria with clinical or laboratory evidence of serious organ dysfunction or other complications caused by the infection.
Severe malaria can affect the brain, blood, kidneys, lungs, liver, or other organs. It may present with features such as impaired consciousness, seizures, severe anemia, respiratory distress, low blood sugar, shock, or other serious complications.
Severe malaria is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment with an appropriate parenteral antimalarial, followed by a suitable oral treatment when the person can take medicines by mouth, is essential.
QUICK FACT
Severe malaria can develop from an initially uncomplicated infection, which is one reason malaria should not be taken lightly even when symptoms initially appear mild.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Uncomplicated malaria — Uncomplicated malaria has no evidence of severe disease or major organ dysfunction; severe malaria has clinical or laboratory features indicating serious disease.
SEE ALSO
- Malaria
- Uncomplicated malaria
- Plasmodium falciparum malaria
- Artesunate
- Parenteral
