Malaria

Introduction: Why malaria matters in Africa

Malaria is one of the biggest health problems in Africa. It kills thousands of people every year, especially children under five and pregnant women. According to the world health organization (WHO), Africa accounts for about 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of all malaria deaths worldwide.

In some African countries, malaria is so common that people get it multiple times a year. This means children miss school, adults miss work, and families spend a lot of money on treatment. Understanding malaria, how it spreads, and how to prevent it can save lives and improve the well-being of entire communities.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a tiny parasite (plasmodium) that enters your body when you are bitten by an infected mosquito. The parasite travels through your blood to your liver, where it grows and multiplies. After a few days, it enters your blood again and starts destroying your red blood cells. This is when you start feeling sick.

How common is malaria in Africa?

Malaria is one of the leading causes of illness and death in Africa. Here are some key facts:

  • About 200 million people get malaria in Africa every year.
  • More than 600,000 people die from malaria each year, with 80% of these deaths in children under five years old.
  • Pregnant women are also at high risk because malaria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or low birth weight.
  • The disease is most common in rural areas where there are many mosquitoes and little access to healthcare.

What causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. You can only get malaria if you are bitten by an infected female anopheles’ mosquito. The mosquito gets the parasite from a person who already has malaria and then spreads it to others.

Malaria cannot be spread by:

  • Eating contaminated food or drinking dirty water.
  • Touching or being near someone with malaria.
  • Cold weather or bad air (malaria is not caused by cold weather, even though some people think so).

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Malaria symptoms usually appear 10 days to 4 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria can stay in the body for months before showing signs.

Common symptoms include:

  • High fever and chills (shaking)
  • Sweating and feeling very tired
  • Headache and body pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dizziness and weakness
  • In severe cases, malaria can cause coma, convulsions (shaking fits), or even death.

How is malaria diagnosed?

If you have malaria symptoms, it is important to get tested immediately. Malaria is diagnosed by a simple blood test, which shows whether the malaria parasite is in your blood.

Delaying diagnosis can be dangerous because malaria spreads quickly in the body. If you feel unwell, especially after traveling to a malaria-prone area, visit a clinic or hospital as soon as possible.

How is malaria treated?

Malaria can be cured if treated early. Doctors will give you antimalarial medicines that help kill the parasite in your body. Some severe cases require hospital treatment, where the medicine is given through a vein (intravenous therapy).

Never self-medicate or buy malaria drugs without a prescription. Using the wrong medicine can make the malaria parasite resistant to treatment, making future infections harder to cure.

What happens if malaria is not treated?

If malaria is not treated early, it can cause life-threatening complications, such as:

  • Cerebral malaria: Swelling of the brain, leading to confusion, seizures, or coma.
  • Severe anaemia: Loss of too many red blood cells, making the body weak.
  • Organ failure: Damage to the liver, kidneys, or spleen.
  • Breathing problems: Fluid buildup in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
  • Low blood sugar: Which can cause unconsciousness and death.

How can you prevent malaria?

Malaria is preventable! Here are some simple but effective ways to protect yourself and your family:

  • Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net: This can reduce malaria cases by 50%.
  • Use mosquito repellent: Especially in the evening and at night when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves and trousers help reduce mosquito bites.
  • Clear stagnant water around your home: Mosquitoes breed in still water found in open containers, old tires, and puddles.
  • Spray your home with insecticide: These kills mosquitoes hiding in corners.
  • Take malaria prevention medicine: If you are traveling to a malaria-endemic area, take prescribed preventive medicine before and during your trip.

Conclusion: Take malaria seriously!

Malaria is a deadly disease, but it can be prevented and treated. Many people in Africa still die from malaria simply because they don’t take preventive measures or seek treatment early.

If you have malaria symptoms, go to a health center immediately. Protect yourself and your family by using mosquito nets, keeping your environment clean, and taking malaria prevention medicine when necessary.