World Malaria Day – Malaria Causes, Symptoms and Prevention Tips.

World Malaria Day is recognized globally on the 25th of April with an aim to spread awareness about this mosquito-borne disease. This year the theme for World Malaria Day is “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria are vital, else it can lead to complications and be fatal. Let’s understand how we can prevent malaria and how indications can help you navigate whether or not you or someone around you might have contracted malaria.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite that is carried by certain mosquitoes. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Malaria is also called Plasmodium Infection

The parasites that cause malaria attack your red blood cells, typically causing a high fever, shaking chills, and other symptoms that may develop into life-threatening complications if not properly treated.

Malaria is a major threat to human health worldwide and a leading cause of illness and death in many developing countries, especially in young children. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to the disease.

Most cases of malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but the disease also affects several other areas of the world.

Signs and Symptoms of Malaria

Symptoms of malaria vary in individuals but may include but not limited to the following:

• Fever
• Shaking chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Profound weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Cough

Some people with malaria experience cycles of “attacks,” which usually begin with shaking chills followed by a high fever, sweating, and then a return to normal body temperature. Each cycle typically lasts 6 to 10 hours. Malaria signs and symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria parasites can lie dormant in your body for up to a year.

Transmission of Malaria

Malaria occurs when parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium get into your bloodstream. Usually, malaria gains access into your blood from the saliva of a female Anopheles mosquito after the insect feeds on someone else with the disease.

In some cases, malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy, from a blood transfusion organ transplant, or from shared needles.

Prevention

Malaria can often be prevented by the use of antimalarial drugs and use of protection measures against mosquito bites. Strategies for preventing malaria include:

1. Being aware of the risk.
2. Preventing mosquito bites, by using insect repellant and covering the arms and legs
3. Sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide
4. Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active
5. Make sure the windows and doors of your room are covered with a screen/mesh. Make sure the mesh has no holes through which mosquitoes can enter.
6. Mosquitoes thrive in areas with stagnant water, so ensure there is none around your home or surroundings
7. Empty and change the water in fountains, rain barrels, potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
8. Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment if someone thinks they may have the disease.
9. Take any antimalarial medicine you’re prescribed by your doctor.

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is critical for recovery from malaria. Anyone with symptoms that may indicate malaria should speak with a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will assess, a blood test would be done, the blood test will indicate whether or not you have and then malaria treatment would commence.

Without adequate and prompt treatment, a person may be at risk of developing cerebral malaria, severe anemia, or nephrotic syndrome and other severe conditions which are potentially fatal.

Treatments for Malaria

Treatment for malaria should start as soon as possible. To treat malaria, your doctor will prescribe drugs to kill the malaria parasite and also to prevent it for those at risk of recurrence.

It’s treated with antimalarial medicines. Some people may require admission, stay in hospital to have specialist care and treatment.

Malaria can sometimes re-occur and will need to be treated again if this happens.

Key Facts

1. In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide.
2. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
3. Worldwide, the estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627 000 in 2020.
4. According to statistics from the WHO, Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (13.2%), United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%) and Mozambique (3.8%). Children under 5 accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.