Malaria

What are the causes?

Malaria is caused by a parasite (Plasmodium) that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected anopheles mosquitoes. The symptoms occur in cycles of 48 to 72 hours. This is the time taken by the parasites to multiply inside the red blood cells, which then rupture, and the parasites infect more red blood cells. Malaria can also be transmitted congenitally (from a mother to her unborn baby) and, rarely, by blood transfusions.

What are the symptoms?

There are moderate to severe chills, high fever, and sweating accompanied by headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain and anaemia. In severe cases, there may also be jaundice, convulsions or coma. The symptoms of malaria usually begin wihtin a week of being bitten by the infected mosquito.    

What are the risk factors?

The highest risk factor for getting malaria is living or visiting tropical areas where malaria is common. Also, some people are at an increased risk of getting malaria like young kids, infants, pregnant women and their fetus. 

What are the types?

How is the diagnosis made?

Diagnosis depends on the symptoms along with a physical examination and some tests. The physical examination may show an enlarged liver and an enlarged spleen. The tests for the malarial parasite by blood smears and other tests confirm the diagnosis. The blood sample is usually drawn at the peak of fever.

Also Read: Does malaria during pregnancy harm the fetus?

Seek professional help?

What are the preparation?

What is the treatment?

Malaria, especially Falciparum malaria, is a medical emergency requiring hospitalisation. Chloroquine is the most frequently used anti-malarial medication, but quinidine or quinine, or the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine are given for chloroquine-resistant infections.

What is the prognosis?

The outcome is expected to be good in most cases of malaria with treatment, but may be poor in Falciparum infection with complications. In complicated cases, there could be liver and kidney failure, excessive destruction of blood cells, swelling of the brain and rupture of the spleen.

What are the prevention?

Avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing over the arms and legs, using mosquito nets and screens, and insect repellents (cream, lotion, spray or vaporizer). Anti-malarial drugs can be prescribed for visitors to areas where malaria is prevalent. Treatment should begin two weeks before entering the area, and continued for 4 weeks after leaving the area. Chloroquine, quinine, and the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine are some of the drugs used. Chloroquine has been the drug of choice for protection from malaria. Falciparum malaria is becoming increasingly resistant to anti-malarial medications. For travellers headed for areas of endemic Falciparum malaria, the present drug of choice is mefloquine.

What is the homecare treatment?

What are the first aid to be given?