Malaria : Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Malaria is a mosquito born infectious disease caused by single-celled parasites that can be transmitted by an infected female anopheles mosquito. Those parasites, referred to as plasmodia, belong to at least 5 species. Maximum human infections are caused by either plasmodium falciparum or plasmodium vivax.

The risk of disease can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites by the use of mosquito nets and insect repellents. Several medications are available to prevent malaria where the disease is common. Despite a need, no effective vaccine is generated, although efforts to develop one are on the go. The parasites travel to the liver where they meet and reproduce. The presence of malaria in an area requires a combination of high human population density and high rates of transmission from mosquitoes to humans.

The signs and symptoms of malaria begin 8-25 days after infection. The common symptom of having malaria is Paroxysm- a phenomena occurrence of sudden coldness followed by fever occurring every 2 days. Individuals with celebral malaria frequently exhibits neurological symptoms.

Malaria has different serious complications. One of them is the development of respiratory distress which occurs in up to 25% of adults and 40% of children. Malaria in pregnant women is an important cause of infant mortality, abortion and low birth weight.

Malaria is generally confirmed by the antigen based rapid diagnostic tests. It is used to differentiate between the symptoms by which malaria is caused, it can be plasmodium falciparum or by other species of parasites. Microscopy is the most commonly used method to detect the malarial parasite.

There are a number of medicines that can help prevent malaria in public places where infection is common. Many of these medications are also used in treatment. Chloroquine may be used where chloroquine-resistant parasites are not common. The protective effect does not begin immediately, and people visiting areas where malaria exists usually start taking the drugs one to two weeks before arriving and continue taking them for four weeks after leaving.

A non chemical vector control technique involves genetic manipulation of the malarial mosquitoes. Advancement in genetic engineering technologies make it possible to introduce foreign DNA into the genes of mosquito and either decrease the life span of mosquito. Sterile insect technique is a method for controlling genes in which large numbers of infertile male mosquitoes are reared and released.

The dreadful malaria: The insight

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.