Millions of malaria cases are reported every year across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, thousands of people die because of this disease. It is a vector-borne disease caused by the biting of infected female Anopheles mosquito. Many people have become infected in Africa. Individuals who have traveled to the malaria-prone region are more likely to get this illness. One can easily prevent malaria; this disease is treatable. Complicated malaria is hard to treat. The infection is caused by an organism called the Plasmodium parasite and its species.
Can malaria spread through human contact?
Malaria is a vector-borne disease, which means it malaria gets transmitted through mosquitoes, and it does not spread through person to person contact. Though, in some conditions such as sharing needles. Also, malaria can be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her unborn child.
Symptoms of malaria
An individual may experience flu-like symptoms. Below mentioned are common signs and symptoms of malaria
Other uncommon signs and symptoms are:
People who suffer from malaria may experience recurrent cycles of malaria “attacks.” A malaria attack symptoms are shivering and chills, followed by a high fever, followed by excessive sweating, and then normal body temperature at last. One may experience malaria signs and symptoms of malaria within a week after being bitten by the Anopheles mosquito. This disease may stay dormant in the body for a long time.
Prevention of Malaria
Mild to moderate malaria is treatable. We all are familiar with the saying prevention is always better than cure. It is true in this case. Taking a few steps can help you to prevent this deadly disease. Mosquitoes are more active during the early morning and evening. So, to avoid mosquito biting follow these tips:
Wear clothes that will cover your whole body, opt to wear full sleeves
Use and apply mosquito repellent on your skin and clothing. DEET containing repellent sprays on the skin. Applying permethrin sprays on your clothes will repel the mosquitoes
Use a mosquito net while sleeping. Try to use bed nets with insecticide. This method will help prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.
Medications for Treating Malaria
Below mentioned are the drugs that physicians usually advise to overcome malaria infection
Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs): ACTs are a primary treatment against malaria. There are several different types of ACTs, such as artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem) and artesunate-amodiaquine. These ACTs contains a combination of two active ingredients that work against malaria disease in different ways.
Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine: Chloroquine works efficiently to treat and prevent many parasites that are sensitive to this drug. Hydroxychloroquine is another prescribed drug advised for preventing and treating malaria. In some countries, few malaria infections are resistant to this drug.
Here we end all about malaria infection, prevention, and treatment. Take medical help immediately if you observe any signs or symptoms of malaria. Try to prevent it is as much as you can to stay from this life-threatening disease.
Leave a Reply