Malaria
What is malaria?
Malaria is a potential life-threatening infectious disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream. Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the liver, where they mature.
After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells. Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open. The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time.
What causes malaria?
Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites you. There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans: Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum. P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease and those who contract this form of malaria have a higher risk of death. An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria. Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through: an organ transplant, a transfusion and use of shared needles or syringes.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
The symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to 4 weeks following the infection. In some cases, symptoms may not develop for several months. Some malarial parasites can enter the body but will be dormant for long periods of time. Common symptoms of malaria include:
- Shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe
- High fever
- Profuse sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
- Muscle pain
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Bloody stools
How is malaria diagnosed?
Diagnosis of malaria is made by a blood film comment which confirms the presence of parasites, the type and quantity of parasites. Other lab investigations are done to show if the disease has caused anaemia or it has affected your vital organs.
How is malaria treated?
Malaria is treated with antimalarials and with certain antibiotics in special situations. Treatment is started via the intravenous or oral route depending on the severity of symptoms or parasite count.
What happens when malaria is not treated?
Malaria can cause a number of life-threatening complications. The following may occur:
- Swelling of the blood vessels of the brain, or cerebral malaria
- An accumulation of fluid in the lungs that causes breathing problems, or pulmonary edema
- Organ failure of the kidneys, liver, or spleen
- Anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells
- Low blood sugar
What are the tips to prevent malaria?
- Sleep in an insecticide treated mosquito note if you live in a malaria endemic area.
- Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites or use mosquito repellent containing DEET.
- Clear out areas with fresh stagnant water.
- When travelling to malaria endemic area from a non-endemic area, you may be prescribed some preventative therapy.
