Early Fever in Summer? Could It Be Malaria? Here’s When to Suspect and Act

With increased awareness and early medical care, malaria is preventable and treatable

As the summer heat intensifies, so does the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, especially malaria. During the rainy season following summer, stagnant water and increased humidity create ideal conditions for the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit malaria.

Often, a simple fever in early summer is dismissed or self-treated, but it could signal something more serious. Dr Sashidhar Reddy Gutha, Consultant General Physician and Diabetologist at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad shares all you need to know:

When to Suspect Malaria

If someone develops a sudden fever during the summer months, especially with no signs of a cold or flu, malaria should be considered. Common signs include

● Fever (often recurring or spiking)
● Intense chills followed by sweating
● Headache and general body aches
● Nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
● Sometimes, abdominal discomfort or diarrhea

These symptoms usually appear a week or more after a mosquito bite. While they may resemble viral fevers, malaria tends to come in cycles—fever, chills, sweating—and can quickly worsen if not treated.

Why Acting Early Matters

The malaria parasite first targets the liver, then spreads to the bloodstream, attacking red blood cells. Without timely treatment, this can lead to serious complications such as:

● Severe anemia (due to red blood cell loss)
● Breathing issues (caused by fluid in the lungs)
● Brain-related symptoms like confusion or seizures (in rare cases of cerebral malaria)
● Liver or kidney dysfunction
● Severe thrombocytopenia

Delays in diagnosis can be life-threatening, especially for young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Early testing, a simple blood test, can confirm malaria and guide proper treatment.

Read More