In a young child, malaria can worsen in less than 24 hours. Knowing how to recognize the signs and consulting early makes all the difference.
In Africa, children under 5 years old account for about three out of four malaria deaths. This is not because the disease is incurable: it is often because it is treated too late. When treated quickly, uncomplicated malaria is easily cured. Left untreated, it can progress to a severe form within hours.
How long after the bite do symptoms appear?
In general, the first signs appear 10 to 15 days after the bite of the infected mosquito. This is why a child can become ill while the family does not remember any particular bite.
The first symptoms
They resemble those of many other childhood diseases, making malaria difficult to recognize:
- Fever, often in episodes, sometimes accompanied by chills and then sweats
- Headaches and body aches
- Unusual fatigue, child who no longer plays
- Loss of appetite, nausea, sometimes vomiting or diarrhea
- Stomach pain
The golden rule : in areas where malaria is present, any fever in a child should raise suspicion of malaria. Go to the health center for a rapid diagnostic test. This test takes a few minutes and will determine if it is malaria or something else.
Danger signs: consult immediately
If your child has a fever, or has had one in the past few days, and shows any of these signs, take them to the nearest health center without delay. These are the severe signs identified by the WHO:
- Convulsions (seizures, uncontrolled shaking)
- Abnormal drowsiness, child difficult to wake, confused or unconscious
- Inability to drink or breastfeed
- Repeated vomiting, the child rejects everything they swallow
- Inability to sit or stand, extreme weakness
- Rapid or difficult breathing
- Pallor marked on the palms, lips, or eyelids, a sign of anemia
- Rare or very dark urine
- Yellowing of the eyes or palms
In the presence of any of these signs, every hour counts. Do not wait until the next morning.
Three common mistakes to avoid
- Treating without testing. Not all fevers are due to malaria. Giving an antimalarial to a child suffering from something else delays proper treatment and promotes resistance.
- Stopping treatment as soon as the fever drops. Treatment must be completed, even if the child seems cured, otherwise the disease may return.
- Using medications bought on the street. Their quality is not guaranteed and they may be underdosed. Go through a health center, pharmacy, or trained community health worker.
The best treatment remains prevention
Each episode avoided means a child who does not miss school, and a family that does not spend on care. Sleeping under a mosquito net every night, eliminating stagnant water around the house, and protecting the skin at dusk significantly reduce the risk of bites.
This is the role of MAÏA: a moisturizing cream with shea butter, which keeps mosquitoes away during the evening, when the family is still outside and the mosquito net is not yet protecting.
This article provides general guidelines and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. In case of doubt, consult.
Sources: WHO, severity criteria for malaria and integrated management of childhood illnesses; WHO, World Malaria Report 2025.