Malaria: What To Look Out For And How To Treat The Disease Safely
What is Malaria?
While Malaria is considered a common and rather benign ailment in this part of the world, you’d be surprised to know that Malaria is one of the leading causes of child death, killing over 500,000 children every year and an average of 1,300 kids per day.
It’s a serious disease that is spread by mosquito bites. A mosquito bite infuses malaria parasites (micro-organisms belonging to the genus. Plasmodium) into your system. The presence of these parasites in the bloodstream then causes Malaria, which, left unchecked, can cause chronic health challenges, including organ failure, troubled breathing/respiratory problems, brain damage, seizures, and even death.
Prevalence of Malaria
Malaria is largely more prevalent in hot and humid tropical regions. 2020 reportedly saw nearly 250 million malaria cases globally, resulting in about 700,000 deaths, with most of the fatalities occurring in South Asia and Africa.
While Malaria manifests worldwide, underdeveloped and developing countries are the most hit, with malaria prevalence becoming even more severe in regions with high humidity and warmer temperature. These include:
- Islands in the Central and South Pacific Ocean (Oceania).
- South and Southeast Asia.
- Eastern Europe.
- Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other areas in the Caribbean.
- Central and South America.
- Africa.
Who might get Malaria?
There’s no limit on people that can suffer from Malaria. However, people living in Africa are at a much higher risk because of the region’s nature (high heat and high humidity). Malaria poses a more serious threat to pregnant women, young children, and older persons, especially when they don’t have access to primary healthcare.
Statistics show that over 80% of fatalities arising from Malaria occur in Africa, with nearly 90% being children. In fact, in 2020 alone, over 80% of deaths resulting from Malaria in Africa involved children aged five and below.
What are the causes of Malaria?
Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria parasites, transferring them from one host to another. When a mosquito bites someone infected with Malaria, it becomes infected with the parasite; however, it doesn’t suffer from this infection. It passes on this parasite when it bites an uninfected person, after which it multiplies in the infected person, causing Malaria.
Over a hundred different types of Plasmodium can infect living things; however, there are five types of malaria parasites that can infect humans, and two of them pose the most severe threat to one’s quality of life. They are: Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum.
In unusual cases, pregnant mothers can pass on Malaria to their offspring during childbirth or, in some cases, before. It is possible, although (highly improbable) for the disease to be passed on via hypodermic needles, organ donations, blood transfusions, etc.
What are the symptoms or common signs of Malaria?
The symptoms and signs of Malaria are very similar to that of the flu or common cold and can easily be misdiagnosed. They are:
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Chest pain, breathing problems, and cough.
- Fatigue.
- Headache and muscle aches.
- Chills that shake your whole body.
- Fever and sweating.
As Malaria worsens, the chances of the infected person getting Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and anaemia significantly increase. Left untreated, Malaria can also devolve into cerebral Malaria, the most critical stage of Malaria and could lead to a coma. Cerebral Malaria reportedly causes over 20% of adult deaths and 15% of child mortality.
When do symptoms begin if you’re infected with Malaria?
Malaria can reveal symptoms anytime between 10 days and, in some cases, even up to a year. This is because malaria parasites can remain inactive in the body, precisely the liver, for a long period without showing any symptoms until after they are again released into the bloodstream.
How is Malaria diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will thoroughly examine you and ask about your symptoms to see if they are consistent with those of Malaria. Your provider then takes a sample of your blood for testing to verify the presence of malaria parasites and the type of parasite so that treatment can begin.
How to treat Malaria?
When treating Malaria, the earlier treatment begins, the faster the patient recovers and the less severe the effects. Sometimes healthcare providers give a combination of drugs alongside other drugs depending on the type of malaria parasite present. This is because some parasites are resistant to antimalarial drugs.
Some antimalarial drugs include:
- Primaquine.
- Quinine.
- Mefloquine.
- Doxycycline (Doxy-100®, Monodox®, Oracea®).
- Chloroquine. (Some parasites are resistant to this medication).
- Atovaquone (Mepron®).
- Artemisinin drugs (artemether and artesunate). If available, the best treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria is artemisinin combination therapy.
What are the side effects of medications to treat Malaria?
Antimalarial drugs can cause side effects depending on the medication. They may include:
- Anaemia.
- Seizures.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Psychological disorders and vision problems.
- Insomnia and disturbing dreams.
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight.
- Headaches.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as nausea and diarrhoea.
How can I prevent Malaria?
To lower your chances of getting Malaria, you should do the following:
- Wear long pants and long sleeves to cover your skin.
- Treat clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags, and other fabrics with an insect repellent called permethrin.
- Put screens on windows and doors.
- Drape mosquito netting over beds.
- Apply mosquito repellent with DEET (diethyltoluamide) to exposed skin.
Is there a vaccine against Malaria?
The RTS, S/AS01 vaccine is effective against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the main cause of severe and sometimes fatal Malaria in children. It was developed and tested in a pilot program in Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana.
When should I see my doctor about Malaria?
Live or have traveled to a country or region where the prevalence of Malaria is high, and you feel any of the common malaria symptoms. It would be best if you spoke with a healthcare provider immediately. Malaria treatment is more effective with early diagnosis.
Conclusion on How to Treat Malaria
If you’re feeling any symptoms of Malaria, don’t hesitate to speak to us at Medbury Medicals. We offer standard testing and treatment of Malaria and other related illnesses to get you back on your feet in no time.
Talk to us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should infants and children be given antimalarial drugs?
Yes, but not all types of malaria drugs. Children of any age can get Malaria, and any child traveling to an area where malaria transmission occurs should use the recommended prevention measures, which often include an antimalarial drug. However, some antimalarial drugs are not suitable for children. Doses are based on the child’s weight.
Is it considered safe for me to breastfeed while taking an antimalarial drug?
There is limited data available about the safety of antimalarial drugs while breastfeeding. However, the amount of antimalarial drugs transferred from the nursing mother to her infant is not considered harmful. Very small amounts of antimalarial drugs are excreted in the breast milk of breastfeeding women. Although there is limited information about the use of malaria drugs in breastfeeding women, most experts consider it unlikely to cause any harm.
What is the treatment for Malaria?
Prescription drugs can cure Malaria with prescription drugs. The length of treatment and type of drugs used may depend on the malaria type, age, pregnancy status, where the person was infected, how sick they were at the start of treatment, and many more.
When is malaria self-treatment recommended?
Very rarely. If a traveler develops symptoms of Malaria, they should immediately seek medical attention to be examined and diagnosed appropriately. However, if professional medical care is unavailable within 24 hours, then self-treatment should begin immediately, especially if fever, chills, or other influenza-like illness symptoms occur. Self-treatment of possible malarial infection is only temporary, and immediate medical care is important.
