Malaria is one of the most common reasons people in Nigeria visit a pharmacy. It is easy to treat when it is confirmed early and treated correctly, but it can become dangerous quickly, especially in young children and pregnant women. This guide explains the symptoms, why testing matters, which medicines work, and when to go to hospital.

What Causes Malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites that are passed on through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. In Nigeria, almost all malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the type most likely to cause severe illness. Symptoms usually start 7 to 30 days after the bite.

Common Symptoms

  • Fever, often with chills or sweating
  • Headache and body or joint pains
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
  • In children: fever, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, vomiting or diarrhoea

These symptoms are not specific to malaria. Typhoid, urinary tract infections, flu, COVID-19 and other infections can look the same, which is why testing is so important.

Test Before You Treat

Many people treat every fever as “malaria and typhoid” without a test. This can mean taking medicines you do not need while the real cause of the illness is missed. A malaria test is quick and cheap:

  • Rapid diagnostic test (RDT): a finger-prick test that gives a result in about 15 to 20 minutes. It is available at many pharmacies, clinics and hospitals.
  • Microscopy: a blood film examined in a laboratory.

If the test is negative and you still have a fever, see a doctor to find the cause. Note that the Widal test for typhoid is often unreliable on its own, so typhoid is best confirmed by a doctor with proper tests.

Treatment for Uncomplicated Malaria

For malaria without danger signs, Nigeria’s national guidelines recommend artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Common ACTs include:

  • Artemether-lumefantrine: for example Coartem, Lonart DS and Amatem Forte. Take with food or milk, because some fat in the meal helps the body absorb the medicine.
  • Artesunate-amodiaquine: for example Camosunate.
  • Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine: for example P-Alaxin.

Important points:

  • Finish the full course, usually 3 days, even if you feel better after the first day. Stopping early can let the infection come back.
  • Use the right strength for the person’s weight or age. Children’s doses differ from adult doses. Ask the pharmacist to confirm the dose.
  • Chloroquine is no longer recommended for treating malaria in Nigeria, because the parasite is widely resistant to it.
  • Injections are not needed for uncomplicated malaria. Tablets work well when the person can swallow and keep them down.

Danger Signs: Go to Hospital Immediately

Severe malaria is a medical emergency. Go to a hospital straight away if the person has any of the following:

  • Convulsions (fits), confusion or difficulty waking up
  • Unable to drink, breastfeed or keep medicine down because of repeated vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Very pale palms or lips, yellow eyes, or dark or cola-coloured urine
  • Extreme weakness or unable to sit or stand
  • Bleeding, or passing very little urine

Severe malaria is treated in hospital, usually with injectable artesunate.

Malaria in Pregnancy

Malaria in pregnancy can harm both mother and baby. Pregnant women with a fever should see a doctor or their antenatal clinic rather than self-treating, because the choice of medicine depends on the stage of pregnancy. At antenatal clinic, pregnant women are usually offered preventive treatment (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) from the second trimester, and should sleep under an insecticide-treated net every night.

How to Prevent Malaria

  • Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net every night, especially children and pregnant women.
  • Remove standing water around the home, such as in old tyres, containers and blocked gutters.
  • Use window and door screens, and insect repellent in the evening.
  • Travellers visiting Nigeria from abroad should ask a doctor about preventive tablets before travelling.

The Bottom Line

Get tested when you have a fever, treat confirmed malaria with a full course of an ACT, and go to hospital quickly if any danger signs appear. Our pharmacists can help you choose the right medicine and dose.

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This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. If you have questions about your health or a product, message our pharmacist on WhatsApp 0916 577 4708 or call 0809 512 7000.