5 Common Symptoms of Malaria in Babies

Malaria affects more infants than adults. It is the most common mosquito-borne disease in India. According to WHO, children below the age of 12 months are more prone to catching malaria.  While even a small sneeze out of your infant’s mouth can give you a minor heartache, we can only imagine how frightening it would be for you if your baby were to show symptoms of malaria. Since there are several symptoms of malaria in babies, knowing if your baby is really suffering from malaria is tricky. To provide them with the right treatment, here are 5 common symptoms of malaria in babies.

High Fever

The most commonly found symptom of malaria in babies is a high fever. The fever may last for a few weeks. It will also be accompanied by sweat and make your child quite irritable. They may start breathing rapidly and become restless and may even suffer from a severe body pain. If your baby’s body feels warmer than usual and shows more than one of the above signs, you might want to consider taking them to a doctor.

Reduced Appetite

You obviously think that your child does not eat enough. And every parent feels the same. But it is a matter of concern when your child eats less than what they are usually capable of eating. Lack of appetite is caused due to fatigue and sleep deprivation. Irritability can also cause their appetite to diminish. If this continues for a couple of weeks, seek professional help immediately. 

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

If your infant is suffering from malaria, they will tend to feel nauseous and may even vomit. Diarrhoea is also a common symptom of malaria in babies. Their poop will often be green in colour and will be more frequent than usual. Additionally, your baby may also feel chilly and may even suffer from a headache.

Hypothermia

If you find all these symptoms but no high fever, it may be because your child is suffering from hypothermia. Simply put, hypothermia is a low body temperature. Your baby’s body temperature may drop below 95 degrees Fahrenheit if they are suffering from malaria. Hypothermia is a serious symptom of malaria in babies and is quite capable of leading to fatal and irrevocable consequences. Therefore, if your baby’s body is losing the capacity of producing heat to keep their temperature above 38 degree Celsius, you must consult with your doctor and make proper treatment available for them.

Cough

Malaria is caused by germs present in the Anopheles mosquitoes. When the germs start causing irritation and producing mucus in your baby’s lungs, their body starts to protect them by coughing to hurl the dirt out. Too much coughing results in your baby having dry coughs, which may even be difficult to stop. 

Since babies are vulnerable to the malaria-inducing germs, you should start looking for medical help right when you see even one of the above symptoms. Early diagnosis is the best way to protect your baby from malaria. If your baby is, in fact, suffering from malaria, proper medical attention will surely have your baby up  and crawling in no time. 

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