India accounts for more than 70% of malaria patients
in the South East Asian region. Yearly, Indian doctors cater around 2 million
patients and 100 deaths. The forest regions of Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and
Madhya Pradesh are where malaria is prevalent. Globally, malaria affects 36% of
population and around 2020 million people in 107 countries.
What
do we understand with malaria?
Malaria is a non-communicable infectious disease
which is caused by plasmodium parasite that attacks the RBC’s (Red Blood Cells)
accompanied by high fever, chills, shivering, body pain and sweating. There are
four species that are responsible for causing malaria (plasmodium malariae,
plasmodium vivax, plasmodium
falciparum and plasmodium ovale) out of which consultant physicians consider plasmodium
falciparum as the worst, capable of causing extreme complications.
Unfortunately, a patient can get affected by two species concurrently.
How
an individual gets malaria?
Malaria is a complex disease involving both human
being and mosquito. When female anopheles mosquito bites, the parasite enters
the blood. It travels and forms base in the liver. The parasite then multiplies
in the liver. However, some of them stay there while other go out of the liver
and attack red blood cells. Then it stays in the RBC’s and reproduces. 48-72
hours after the bite, more parasites are released into the blood. This is the
reason why malaria chills are seen normally after 2-3 days after the release of
the parasite in the blood.
What are the warning
signals of malaria?
Once
bitten, the disease stretches up to around 2 weeks. Common symptoms include
fever, chills, puking, headache, body ache, diarrhoea and cough. Generally,
chills and fever replicate after 48 hours and during this time, a patient may
develop anaemia due to breakdown of red blood cells. The spleen enlarges and is
felt in the stomach.
The treatment for
malaria
After a diligent research, The National Institute of
Malaria Research has laid the course of action on diagnosis and treatment of malaria:
- Chloroquine is prescribed to the patient and the dosage depends on the person’s weight.
- Always give the first dose under the doctor’s supervision and not on an empty stomach.
- Drink plenty of fluids backed up by fruit juices.
- Call your general physician if no sign of improvement is seen.
Prevention
is better than cure
- Mosquito's’ favourite breeding place is stagnant water- be it nearby ponds, a water puddle, pots, bird baths or fountains. Get them cleaned as soon as possible. Water in the swimming pools too needs cleaning.
- Use mosquito repellents, nets, fibre glass mashes for your windows if you live where mosquitoes are found in abundance. Cover up your body so that you are less exposed to mosquito bite.
- Indoor insecticide spray is also recommended to be on the safe side.
