Symptoms appear between 10 and 15 days after the bite of the infected insect. Certain types of malaria parasite (Plasmodium vivax et Plasmodium ovale) may remain inactive in the liver for weeks or even months before the first signs appear.

Malaria is characterized by recurrent attacks comprising three phases:

• Chills ;
• Headaches ;
• Fatigue and muscle pain;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhea (occasionally).

An hour or two hours later:

• High fevers;
• The skin becomes hot and dry.

Then the body temperature drops:

• Profuse sweating;
• Fatigue and weakness;
• The affected person falls asleep.

P. vivax and P. ovale malaria infections may relapse a few weeks or even months after the first infection even if the patient has left the area of ​​infection. These new episodes are due to “dormant” hepatic forms.