Is Malaria Contagious From Person to Person? Key Facts

Malaria is not spread through ordinary contact, but rare transmission can occur through infected blood or from a pregnant person to their baby ^[1]. You cannot pass malaria to your partner or children through casual contact, hugging, kissing, ordinary sexual contact, sharing food, coughing, or sneezing ^{[2] [3]}.

Malaria is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito ^[3]. When this specific type of mosquito bites someone who has malaria, it ingests microscopic parasites. The parasites develop inside the mosquito, and when it bites someone else, it can inject the parasites into their bloodstream ^{[2] [3]}.

Rare Ways Malaria Can Be Transmitted Directly

During the blood stage of the infection, malaria parasites are present in your red blood cells. Because of this, it can be transmitted directly from person to person in rare circumstances involving blood exchange:

• From mother to child (congenital transmission): An infected pregnant person can pass the infection to their fetus or newborn during pregnancy or delivery ^[1].
• Through infected blood: Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants, though this is rare in countries where malaria does not regularly occur due to strict screening processes for blood donors ^{[1] [4]}. You should not donate blood until your local blood donation service confirms you are eligible, as deferral periods vary ^[1].
• Shared needles: Sharing contaminated needles, syringes, or experiencing a laboratory needlestick accident can transfer infected blood from one person to another ^{[1] [5]}.

Precautions While Recovering at Home

If you are recovering from malaria at home, there is no need to isolate yourself from your family members or sleep in a separate room to protect them from catching it directly from you ^{[2] [3]}.

However, even after you start feeling better, certain forms of the malaria parasite (called gametocytes) can remain in your bloodstream for weeks ^{[2] [6]}. The exact time they persist depends on the malaria species and the treatment you received. If an Anopheles mosquito bites you during this time, the mosquito could become infected and spread the disease to someone else ^[2]. Also, some species of malaria (Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale) have dormant liver stages that require specific medication to clear and prevent future relapses ^[1].

Therefore, it is important to continue protecting yourself from mosquito bites while you recover, especially if you live in an area where Anopheles mosquitoes are present. To prevent mosquito bites, use:

• EPA-registered insect repellent applied according to the label
• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Window or door screens, or air conditioning
• Insecticide-treated bed nets, especially when sleeping

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Malaria can worsen quickly or return if not fully cleared. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency care if you experience:

• Persistent or returning fever
• Vomiting that prevents you from keeping your medication down
• Confusion, fainting, or seizures
• Trouble breathing or severe weakness
• Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), or very dark urine ^[1]