Description: Learn how malaria affects children, including symptoms, warning signs, prevention, testing, treatment, and practical advice for Ghanaian parents.
Introduction
A feverish child can make any parent anxious. In Ghana, malaria is one of the important illnesses parents and caregivers need to understand because children can become seriously ill when malaria is not recognized and treated promptly.
Malaria prevention remains a national priority in Ghana, with the country implementing a 2024–2028 malaria elimination strategy.
The good news is that parents can take practical steps to reduce malaria exposure and recognize warning signs early.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted primarily through infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
After the parasite enters the bloodstream, it develops and multiplies through stages that can produce fever and other symptoms.
Why children need special attention
Children may deteriorate more quickly than adults when seriously ill.
Young children may also be unable to explain symptoms accurately.
Instead of saying, “I have chills and a headache,” a child may simply:
- Cry continuously
- Refuse food
- Sleep unusually long
- Become irritable
- Stop playing
- Vomit
- Develop fever
Parents therefore need to watch behavior as well as temperature.
Common malaria symptoms in children
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal discomfort
- Sweating
- General tiredness
These symptoms do not prove that a child has malaria.
Other infections can cause similar symptoms.
Severe warning signs
Parents should seek urgent medical care if a child has:
- Convulsions
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe weakness
- Confusion
- Persistent vomiting
- Inability to drink
- Difficulty waking
- Collapse
- Severe dehydration
- Rapid deterioration
Why testing matters
A fever should not automatically be labelled malaria.
Testing can help determine whether malaria parasites are present and can prevent inappropriate treatment of other illnesses.
Healthcare workers can select the appropriate diagnostic method.
Malaria prevention for children
Use an insecticide-treated mosquito net.
Children should sleep under an appropriate insecticide-treated mosquito net consistently.
The net should be properly positioned and maintained.
Reduce mosquito exposure.
Parents can reduce exposure by:
- Using appropriate screens
- Closing doors where practical
- Following local mosquito-control recommendations
- Reducing stagnant water around homes
Keep the child’s sleeping area protected.
The mosquito net should be large enough and properly tucked or arranged according to its instructions.
Malaria and nutrition
Repeated malaria infections can contribute to weakness and anemia.
A child’s diet should therefore provide adequate nutrients, including iron-rich foods and a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and other nutritious foods.
Nutrition does not replace malaria treatment.
Treatment
Treatment should follow professional assessment and current national clinical guidance.
Parents should not:
- Give a child’s medicine intended for an adult
- Share medication between children
- Use expired medicine
- Guess doses
- Stop prescribed treatment without medical advice
Children’s medicines often require weight-appropriate dosing.
Malaria and school attendance
Repeated illness can affect:
- School attendance
- Concentration
- Physical activity
- Family finances
- Caregiver productivity
Preventing malaria therefore has educational and economic benefits as well as health benefits.
A practical household prevention routine
Every evening:
- Check that the child’s sleeping net is correctly positioned.
- Keep sleeping areas protected.
- Reduce mosquito exposure.
Every week:
- Inspect containers around the home.
- Remove unnecessary standing water.
- Keep drainage areas clear where possible.
When fever develops:
- Seek appropriate assessment.
- Avoid assuming every fever is malaria.
- Watch for worsening symptoms.
FAQ
Can babies get malaria?
Yes. Babies can become infected and may become seriously ill.
Can malaria cause vomiting?
Yes, vomiting can occur, although it is not specific to malaria.
Can malaria cause anemia in children?
Repeated or severe malaria can contribute to anemia.
Should I give my child malaria medicine without testing?
It is preferable to seek appropriate medical assessment and testing rather than automatically treating every fever as malaria.
Can a mosquito net prevent all malaria?
No intervention provides absolute protection, but insecticide-treated nets are an important malaria-control measure.
Conclusion
Parents do not need to live in fear of malaria, but they do need to take prevention and early treatment seriously.
The combination of mosquito protection, appropriate testing, prompt treatment, and awareness of severe symptoms can help protect children.
Call to Action
Make malaria prevention part of your child’s nightly routine.
Protect the sleeping area, use an appropriately treated mosquito net, and seek medical attention promptly when your child develops a fever or serious symptoms.