Malaria

Overview

Malaria- Malaria is an infection caused by the protozoan genus plasmodium species. The parasites get into the bloodstream and starts destroying liver cells and red blood cells which causes variety of symptoms and in some fatal cases, death. Let’s delve deeper into the symptoms, how malaria happens and how it affects the body, read to know more.

Symptoms of Malaria

The symptoms may start after 10-15 days of exposure to malaria, it’s important to know what your body is indicating, and some common symptoms and signs of malaria includes:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Chills
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• confusion
• Anaemia
• Body aches
• Coma
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Abdominal pain
• Convulsions
• Bloody stools
• Yellow skin (jaundice)
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle or joint pain

Every person might experience the same symptoms, many individuals misunderstand these symptoms with cold or flu. Since, the symptoms are not visible in the first two weeks, many people can start noticing these symptoms in some time and most of them aren’t even aware about any of this.

How would you know that you caught up with malaria?

Malaria symptoms can vary and can take up to 7 to 30 days after the exposure to an infected mosquito. The common symptoms of malaria are often misunderstood by flu or cold or other potential illnesses, but it is important to note that malaria can progress rapidly and early intervention and treatment is considered necessary to prevent any further complications. Doctors will run certain blood tests to confirm the presence of malaria parasite. If an individual comes across these symptoms, it is advised and highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention for a proper diagnosis. Self- treatment or self-diagnosing is not advisable since, malaria parasites progress rapidly, so consulting with a doctor and following a prescribed treatment can cure malaria and can prevent any other potential complications.

Causes of Malaria

Malaria can be caused by a single celled parasite of the genus plasmodium. The development is influenced by the bites of infected mosquitos to humans. Infected mosquitos bite the noninfected individuals which transfers the malarial parasites into the bloodstream hence making a straight way to the liver. When the parasites grow and mature inside the human body, they leave the liver and jump to infect red blood cells. Other factors of transmission include:

Through blood transfusions: Seeking blood from the malarial infected areas can increase the risk of acquiring malaria.

From mother to unborn child: If the mother has been traveling to the infected areas, the chances of transferring the disease are really high.

By sharing needles used to inject blood: By sharing the used needles not only increase the risk of acquiring malaria but an individual can develop many other potential problems.

These factors are the bridging gap and hence influence the malaria parasites to interfere in our day-to-day task. Early intervention and detection would help in curing this aggressive parasite immediately when the symptoms start appearing.

Prevention for Malaria

The risk of getting affected by malaria is higher if you’re living in a malaria friendly zone but preventive measures are always recommended to save an individual from early influence and interference of malaria in their life. Preventive measures include:

Wear insect repellent: The best preventive measure to escape malaria is by using mosquito repellents on exposed skin and clothing to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Cover your skin with clothing: Wearing full clothes can help in preventing malaria from catching an individual. Full sleeves shirts, long pants and shoes can limit the exposure of skin, hence preventing malaria.

Use bed nets: Bed nets are the best alternatives as it’ll go all across your bed, hence shielding you from bites and these nets can also be sprayed with insecticides for a stronger effect.

Avoid peak mosquito activity: Mosquitos can transmit malaria and roaming around evenings are the most vulnerable times to catch malaria. It is advised to avoid peak mosquito hours to prevent malaria.

Take a preventive medicine: Taking prescribed antimalarial drugs can help in preventing this chronic disease and following the scheduled treatment will help in curing malaria.

Avoid travelling in malaria friendly zones: It is recommended that pregnant ladies must not travel to malaria friendly areas as their weak immune system is vulnerable to catch malaria.

These possible preventive measures can help in reducing the impact of this chronic disease malaria. Early intervention and detection are preferable for a successful treatment.

Types
It’s necessary for an individual to know what type of malaria he/ she falls under. There are various types of malaria, but the most common species is P. falciparum malaria, and studies suggest many people come across the common malaria species. While it can become a part of your health at any stage but knowing what type of malaria species has caught you up is essential. Types of malaria species includes:

P. falciparum: This type of species is the most common type of parasite in Africa. The malaria related deaths in the world are associated with P. falciparum. It multiplies quickly causing serious blood loss and clogged blood vessels.

P. vivax: This parasite species is found mostly in the sub- Saharan Africa. The species can lie resting in the human body but can infect your blood for months or years after the exposure to infected mosquito bite.

Other types of species include:

1.P. ovale

2.P. malariae

3.P. knowlesi

The determination of the types of species is necessary for doctors to prescribe suitable medications to the individuals. The customization of the treatments is the right approach and the identification of triggers will be the best information for the individuals, so that they can stay away from the infected areas. Severity of malaria must be kept under immediate consideration to provide effective treatment for the betterment of an individual.

Tests and Treatments for Malaria

To understand what your body is trying to tell you, doctors will run certain tests to diagnose what the actual problem is. Your current symptoms will make an easy way for the doctors to identify the problem. The doctors will go through the medical history of the infected patient and will overlook the recent traveling areas. Blood tests will be done to indicate:

• The type of malaria parasite
• Presence of parasite in the blood to confirm that you’ve malaria
• Whether the disease is causing any serious complications
• If infection is caused by parasite which is resistant to drugs

It’s important to focus that detection is really essential for immediate treatment of malaria. Malaria has great chances of healing when detected early after the symptoms appear and survival rates of malaria are really high. While you can never eliminate the risk of acquiring malaria but it can be treated and can be kept under control by taking appropriate preventive measures.

Risk Factors
The common and the most dangerous risk factor of malaria is living in the places where this disease is really prevalent. There are many risk factors which can influence the development of malaria. Risk factors include:

Age: Children under the age of 5 or below are prone to catch malaria as their immune system has not been developed fully and have weakened immune system, hence catching up with many potential deadly diseases.

Health status: Individuals with weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or other conditions are at high risk of catching severe malaria.

Drug resistance: Drug resistance can complicate treatment and increase the risk of severity and make an individual vulnerable to increase the risk factors in malaria.

Geographical locations: Certain malaria-friendly regions include: Pacific islands, Central America, South and Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.

It’s essential to be aware of these risk factors to take timely preventive measures such as having regular checks ups and keeping yourself away from geographical locations.

Treatment for Malaria

The treatment of malaria ultimately depends on the type of malaria parasite causing the infection, the age of the infected individual, the geographical location and the health factors of the individual. For an infected individual, doctors prescribe antimalarial drugs to treat malaria. Common medications include:

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs): It is a mixture of two or more drugs that fight malaria in their own ways. This is preferable to treat malaria and prevent it from hampering the individual’s health.

Chloroquine phosphate: This type of treatment is preferred when the parasite is sensitive to the drug. It is not recommended at times as malarial parasites are resistant to chloroquine drug and doesn’t work on an individual anymore.

Malaria treatment is considered to start with medicines. These treatment options include the optimum stage of an individual affected with malaria. Regular check-ups are essential to track the signs of recurrence if there are any and it’s essential for an individual to take a safe path of immediate intervention to prevent potential side-effects and the risk of malaria.