Malaria in Kenya: symptoms, testing and treatment

Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which usually bites between dusk and dawn. Risk differs across Kenya: transmission is higher around Lake Victoria and along the coast, lower in the highlands and in Nairobi, and seasonal in some areas after the rains.

Symptoms to look out for

Malaria often starts like flu. People commonly describe:

• Fever, sometimes coming in waves, with chills and sweating
• Headache and body aches
• Tiredness and weakness
• Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
• In children: irritability, poor feeding, fast breathing or drowsiness

Symptoms usually appear from about a week after a bite, but can take longer. Because these signs overlap with many other illnesses, a fever should never be assumed to be malaria without a test.

Why testing first matters

A rapid diagnostic test or a blood slide confirms whether malaria parasites are present. Testing matters for two reasons: people treated for malaria they do not have miss the real cause of their illness, and unnecessary antimalarial use contributes to drug resistance. Many pharmacies and clinics offer a rapid test that takes minutes.

How malaria is treated

Uncomplicated malaria in Kenya is treated with artemisinin-based combination therapy, prescribed according to national guidelines and dosed by body weight. Complete the full course even when you feel better after a day or two. Treatment differs in pregnancy and for young children, which is another reason to be guided by a clinician rather than buying medicine on a guess.

Signs of severe malaria: go to hospital now

• Confusion, unusual drowsiness or a seizure
• Difficulty breathing
• Repeated vomiting so medicine cannot be kept down
• Very dark urine or passing little urine
• Yellow eyes, bleeding, or extreme weakness
• Any fever in a child under five who is not drinking or feeding

Severe malaria is a medical emergency and needs hospital treatment, not home care.

Preventing bites in the first place

• Sleep under a treated mosquito net, especially children and pregnant women.
• Use repellent on exposed skin in the evening, and wear long sleeves and trousers after dark.
• Close windows and doors at dusk, or screen them.
• Clear standing water around the home where mosquitoes breed.
• If you are pregnant, ask your clinic about preventive treatment offered during antenatal care.
• Travelling to a high-risk area from a low-risk one? Ask about prophylaxis before you go.

If you develop a fever and are not sure whether to test, a quick consultation can help you decide what to do and where to go.