Malaria
Fever with chills — test early, treat fully

Malaria is an infection spread by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, which bites mainly at night. It causes fever with chills and sweating. Uttar Pradesh sees malaria mostly during and after the monsoon. A simple blood test confirms it, and the right medicines cure it — but some types can become severe quickly, so early testing matters.

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About malaria

What is malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. In India, the main types are Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Falciparum malaria can quickly affect the brain, kidneys and blood and needs urgent treatment. Vivax can come back months later unless the full treatment, including medicine for the liver stage, is completed.

  • Symptoms start about 7 to 30 days after the bite
  • Fever may come every day or every other day
  • Children, pregnant women and older people are at higher risk
  • A blood test is needed — do not treat fever as malaria without testing
  • Mosquito protection prevents malaria

Test

Rapid test or blood smear.

Treat

Correct medicines for the type.

Complete

Finish the full course.

Prevent

Nets, repellents and no stagnant water.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria

Symptoms can look like other fevers, so testing is important.

Fever with chills

Shivering followed by high fever and sweating.

Headache

Often severe.

Body ache

Muscle and joint pain.

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite.

Weakness

Marked tiredness.

Pale or yellow skin

From anaemia or jaundice.

In children

Fever, vomiting, drowsiness, poor feeding.

In pregnancy

Malaria can be more severe; seek care early.

Signs of severe malaria: confusion or drowsiness, fits, difficulty breathing, very little urine, yellow eyes, bleeding or repeated vomiting. Come to the 24×7 emergency department immediately or call 0522-666-4444. Call 0522-666-4444.

Diagnosis

Tests for malaria

Testing confirms malaria and its type.

Rapid diagnostic test

Results within minutes.

Blood smear

Microscope test that shows the type and amount of parasite.

Complete blood count

Haemoglobin and platelets.

Kidney and liver tests

In moderate to severe illness.

Other fever tests

Dengue and typhoid when needed.

Treatment

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of malaria, age and pregnancy.

Treatment at home

Most people take tablets for a few days as prescribed. For vivax malaria, an additional medicine is usually given to prevent relapse, after checking it is safe for you.

Take all doses exactly as advisedParacetamol for feverPlenty of fluids and rest

Follow-up

  • Return if fever continues after 2 to 3 days
  • Return at once if warning signs appear

Good to know

  • Some anti-relapse medicines need a blood test first
  • Tell your doctor if pregnant
Prevention

Preventing malaria

General guidance — always follow the advice your own doctor gives you.

Sleep under a net

Use an insecticide-treated bed net, especially for children and pregnant women.

Cover up

Wear long sleeves in the evening and use mosquito repellent.

No stagnant water

Drain water collected in pots, tyres, coolers and around the house.

Contact us urgently if

  • Confusion, drowsiness or fits
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Very little urine or dark urine
  • Yellow eyes or bleeding
0522-666-4444
Myths & facts

Myths about malaria

Tap a card to see the fact.

Myth

“Every fever with chills is malaria.”

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Fact

Many infections cause chills. Only a blood test confirms malaria.

Myth

“Stop the tablets once the fever goes.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Stopping early can lead to relapse. Complete the course.

Myth

“Malaria only happens in villages.”

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Fact

Malaria also occurs in cities where mosquitoes breed.

Your care team

Physicians and paediatricians

Internal medicine Dengue Typhoid
Practical help

What to bring, costs & insurance

A little preparation helps us help you faster.

What to bring to your visit

Tick off as you pack:

  • Fever chart and any blood reports
  • Names of medicines already taken
  • Insurance or Ayushman card

Costs & insurance

Costs depend on the tests and treatment you need and the length of any hospital stay. Ask our team for a written estimate.

  • ✓Written estimate— ask for one before planned procedures or admission.
  • ✓Health insurance & TPA— cashless treatment for admissions under tie-up insurers; outpatient visits depend on your policy.
  • ✓Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) accepted for eligible admissions.
  • ✓Corporate & PSU panels— ask whether your employer has a tie-up with Charak Hospital.

*Coverage depends on your policy and the treatment. Our insurance desk can check this for you.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How quickly do malaria results come?

A rapid test gives results within minutes; a blood smear within a few hours.

Can malaria come back?

Vivax malaria can relapse months later if the anti-relapse medicine is not taken. Complete the full course.

Is malaria contagious?

It does not spread from person to person, only through mosquito bites (and rarely through blood transfusion).

Is malaria dangerous in pregnancy?

Yes, it can be more severe. Pregnant women with fever should be tested promptly.

Glossary

Words you may hear

PlasmodiumThe parasite that causes malaria.
VivaxA type of malaria that can relapse.
FalciparumA type of malaria that can become severe quickly.
Blood smearA microscope test of a blood sample.

No matching term. Please ask your doctor at your next visit.

Related pages

Related departments and guides

Internal medicine Dengue fever Typhoid fever Paediatrics Health library

Fever with chills?

Get tested early. See a physician at Charak Hospital or call 0522-666-4444.

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Medical information disclaimer: This page provides general health information for patients and families. It is not a substitute for a consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. Treatment decisions depend on each patient's individual condition. In an emergency, call 0522-666-4444 or go to the nearest emergency department.

About this page: Prepared by the Charak Hospital web team with the help of AI writing tools, using information from the Department of Internal Medicine, Charak Hospital & Research Centre ·  Last updated: October 2026

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