Malaria is spread by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and remains a major cause of illness in Nigeria. Typical symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Because these resemble many other illnesses, including typhoid and viral infections, guessing is risky. A rapid diagnostic test or a blood smear at a clinic or pharmacy lab confirms malaria, and the right medicine depends on the result.
Go to hospital urgently for confusion or unusual sleepiness, convulsions, difficulty breathing, yellow eyes or skin, very dark urine, severe weakness, repeated vomiting that stops medicines staying down, or no urine. Young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immunity are at higher risk of severe disease and should not wait. If prescribed antimalarial medicine, finish the full course even if you feel better.
Prevention works best when combined. Sleep under an insecticide-treated net every night, clear stagnant water around the home where mosquitoes breed, keep gutters and containers covered, fit window screens where possible, and use repellent in the evening. Pregnant women should attend antenatal care, where preventive treatment is offered.