Sign And Symptoms Of Malaria In Pregnant Women

Malaria in pregnancy comes with different kinds of symptoms. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Five species of malarial parasites infect humans (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi). P. vivax is the most common worldwide; P. falciparum is responsible for the most severe disease.

Mosquito

Read Also: Treatment of malaria

Signs And Symptoms Of Malaria In Pregnancy

General symptoms of malaria include fever, myalgias, chills, headaches and malaise. Anemia is prominent. The severe manifestations of the disease include seizures, mental confusion, coma, kidney failure, respiratory distress and even death. 

Presentation during pregnancy depends on the stability of transmission in the area the pregnant woman resides. In areas of unstable or episodic transmission, where women have developed little immunity, women can become quite sick if infected during pregnancy.

Read Also: Safe malaria drug for pregnant women

Compared with nonpregnant women, those who are pregnant are more likely to have severe anemia and severe maternal symptoms such as cerebral malaria, respiratory distress and death. In areas where transmission is stable and occurs throughout the year, women have developed partial immunity and are often asymptomatic when infected, yet they remain at risk for severe anemia.