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“There are more people dying of malaria than any specific disease”
What do we know about malaria? Is it only a mosquito-related disease? We are going to clarify all your doubts.
In this article, we are going to discuss all that you need to know about malaria, its causes, treatment, and ways to prevent it.
What exactly is malaria?
Malaria is a disease that is caused by parasites that carried by infected organisms like mosquitoes (usually female anopheles mosquitos). When the infected mosquitos bite humans, these parasites get transferred and it results in malaria.
Malaria is not so common in semi-arid regions. They are usually found in tropical as well as subtropical regions. It is estimated that each year about 290 million people are getting affected and about 4 lakh people die due to the disease.
What are the 4 types of malaria?
The main four types of malaria are Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P. malaria), Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax), Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale), Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi)
But Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most common types which usually spread in humans.
How do you know if you have malaria?
If you have malaria, then you will experience any one or many of the following symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diahrrea
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Uneven heartbeat
- Fast breathing
- Bloody stool
- Anemia
- Continuous sweating
When should you see a doctor?
You should immediately visit a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms such as:
- A very high body temperature
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice
- Renal failure
Signs and symptoms can only be seen a few weeks after you are affected. So if you are experiencing severe symptoms, you should not ignore them carelessly because your carelessness can lead to many complications
How is malaria caused?
Malaria is mainly caused if a mosquito which is affected by Plasmodium parasites bites us. Other than the bite from an infected mosquito, other factors which are responsible for malaria include:
- To an unborn child from mother
- Due to blood donations
- Usage of used syringes or needles
Who is most affected by malaria?
The cause of malaria depends on the local preventive methods, seasonal changes, and individual precautions taken. Malaria can spread more on people such as:
- Old people
- Young children
- Pregnant women and infants
- People with HIV/AIDS
- People with low immunity
How is malaria diagnosed in hospital?
When you approach your doctor, they will first analyze your medical history and your recent travel history because it gives a clear idea about the source. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination to understand more about your condition.
If your doctor suspects that you have the symptoms of malaria, then you will have to undergo a blood test. This test will help your doctor to determine
- If you have malaria
- The type of malaria you are having
- Whether the condition has caused anemia
- If the disease has affected other organs
What is the best treatment for malaria?
For treating malaria, your doctor will provide you with medications and these medications will depend on the type of parasite that caused the condition.
Some types of parasites are not resistant to malaria. So the medications provided by your doctor alone cannot cure the disease. In such cases, your doctor will prescribe you to take more than one type of medicine.
Sometimes the treatment method chosen by your doctor can vary depending upon the factors such as :
- The severity of the symptoms
- Age
- Health conditions
- If you are pregnant
What are the ways to prevent malaria?
You should be cautious if you are traveling to an area where malaria is common. The only way to prevent malaria is by taking all the necessary steps to avoid mosquito bites. Some of the common methods that we could adopt to protect ourselves from mosquito bites are:
- Wear protective clothing such as full sleeves
- Use a mosquito net over the bed
- Spray insect repellents in cases on your exposed skin and light clothes
- Ensure that your surroundings are neat and clean
- Take antimalarial tablets prescribed by your doctor
As always prevention is better than cure. Even though malaria is not so common in temperate climate regions, without proper preventive measures there is a chance that these diseases can spread at a higher rate.
If you suspect that you have any symptoms associated with malaria, then you should immediately consult a general practitioner as soon as possible.
