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New Delhi . During the monsoon season, the risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes increases rapidly and among these, Malaria is a disease which can sometimes be serious if ignored. Symptoms like high fever, chills, shivering, headache and weakness often seem like common viral infections, but these signs can also be the beginning of malaria. Health experts say that if you are feeling cold and shivering along with fever, then instead of taking it lightly, you should consult a doctor and get it checked on time.

Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Many times it starts like a normal fever due to which people consider it to be a viral fever and start treating it at home. According to doctors, one should be alert if symptoms like high fever, headache, chills, shivering, weakness, nausea or vomiting appear. On the basis of symptoms alone, it cannot be decided whether a person has malaria or not, hence getting tested on time is considered the most important step.

Experts advise that if malaria is suspected, one should not start anti-malarial medicine on one's own. Taking medicines without testing and consulting a doctor can delay the diagnosis of the true disease and can also lead to other health problems. Doctors decide the type of disease and the right treatment based on the test results and the patient's condition. If malaria is identified in time and proper treatment is started, the risk of serious complications can be reduced to a great extent.

Even after starting treatment, patients need to take special precautions. Many times, after taking the medicine, fever or weakness starts reducing and the patient considers himself fine and stops the medicine midway. Doing so can be dangerous. It is not advisable to increase or decrease the dose of medicine and change the duration of treatment without doctor's advice. Treatment of malaria is decided according to the condition of the patient and the type of infection, so it is important to follow the complete medication and doctor's advice.

There are some symptoms which can be considered a sign of serious condition of malaria. Excessive weakness, frequent vomiting, difficulty in breathing, greatly reduced amount of urine, abnormal bleeding, change in consciousness or behaviour, confusion, fainting and seizures. If symptoms like fainting and seizures appear then one should immediately go to the hospital. In severe cases, many body parts can be affected, hence such signs should not be ignored at all.

There is a need to be more cautious about malaria in small children, especially children under five years of age and pregnant women. The infection can take a serious form even in people with weak immunity. Therefore, if the fever persists for a long time or the condition suddenly worsens, it is better to contact a doctor instead of relying on home remedies.

Protection from mosquitoes is also very important to prevent malaria. Do not allow water to accumulate in and around the house, use mosquito nets and protect yourself from mosquito bites especially in the evening and night. Remember, it is not right to avoid high fever and shivering as normal. Timely testing, proper treatment and immediate reaching to the hospital in case of serious symptoms is the safest way to reduce the major threat caused by malaria.