Malaria

Overview

Malaria is a parasite-borne sickness. The parasite is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. Malaria causes severe disease, such as high fever and chills.

Malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries despite its rarity in temperate areas. Malaria infects approximately 290 million people each year, and the disease kills over 400,000 people.

World health programs distribute preventive medications and insecticide-treated bed nets to shield individuals from mosquito bites to reduce malaria infections. The WHO has endorsed a malaria vaccine for children in malaria-endemic nations.

Causes

When a mosquito bites a malaria patient, the mosquito becomes infected. When that mosquito bites someone else, it introduces a parasite into their bloodstream. The parasites multiply there. Malaria parasites can infect humans in five different ways.

Pregnant people with malaria can pass the sickness to their offspring before or during birth in rare situations.

Malaria can be transmitted by blood transfusions, organ donations, and hypodermic needles, but this is unlikely.

Symptoms

Malaria symptoms are the same as those of the flu. Fever and sweating are two of them.

• Chills that make your entire body shake
• Muscle pains and headaches
• Fatigue
• Cough, chest pain, and breathing difficulties
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Malaria can induce anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) as it progresses.
• Cerebral malaria is the most severe form of malaria, which can lead to a coma. This type accounts for roughly 15% of infant mortality and nearly 20% of adult deaths.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will check you and inquire about your symptoms and travel history. It’s critical to disclose information about recent trips to countries so that your provider understands your risk.

Your physician will take a blood sample and send it to a lab to determine whether you have malaria parasites. The blood test will inform your doctor if you have malaria and which sort of parasite is causing your symptoms. Your provider will use this information for malaria diagnosis to decide the best course of therapy.

Treatment

Most patients will recover completely if they receive prompt malaria treatment.

Individuals with the condition are treated with:

• Medication to eradicate the parasite from the bloodstream
• Supportive care
• Hospitalization for those with severe symptoms.

• Intensive care (in some circumstances)
• Chloroquine
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Primaquine
• Artemisinin-based therapy
• Atovaquone-proguanil is the most commonly used antimalarial medicine.

When To See A Doctor

Consult your doctor if you get a fever while living in or returning from a high-risk malaria area. Seek emergency medical assistance if you are experiencing any severe symptoms.

Disclaimer

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about malaria or any other medical condition, please see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment suggestions.