DO YOU KNOW MALARIA CAN BE DEADLY?

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by mosquito-borne plasmodium parasite that infects the red blood cells. It’s one of the deadliest diseases in the world.

MalariaIn this piece, I shall be focussing on some of the causes, symptoms, diiagnosis, treatment, complications, home remedies and prevention of malaria.

CAUSES

The four known species that cause malaria are:

i) plasmodium vivax

ii) plasmodium falciparum

iii) plasmodium ovale and

iv) plasmodium malariae.

Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious and can cause serious complications. An individual can be infected with two species at the same time.

After been bitten by an infected mosquito, the disease takes around 14 days to manifest. Commonly observed symptoms are:

1. Fever

2. Headache

3. Sweat

4. Fatigue

5. Nausea and vomiting

6. Body ache

7. Cough

8. Diarrhoea

If untreated, it can lead to complications like jaundice, dehydration, anaemia, brain malaria(malaria of the cerebrum), liver failure and kidney failure.

DIAGNOSIS

Normally, blood is taken from a finger tip at lab and the parasite is seen within your red blood cells under a microscope. A variety of rapid tests are available that detect the malaria antigen which can diagnose the condition in 10 minutes.

TREATMENT

The National Institute of Malaria Research(NIMR) has developed guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of malaria. These include:

– Chloroquine given to the patient and dose is given depending upon the body weight of the patient. The use of chloroquine resist falciparum malaria cases. For such individual, a drug called ARTEMISININ is given.

– Avoid giving anti-malaria drugs on an empty stomach & always give the first dose under observation.

– Give plenty of fluids.

– If no improvement occurs within 48 hours, call the doctor.

– Look for any warning signs of dehydration, reduce urine output, bleeding, seizure or comma.

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COMPLICATIONS

If untreated within 24hours of symptoms showing up, it can be a very serious and life threatening disease because the red blood cells might have been destroyed which can also cause:

– Cerebral malaria: The infected red blood cells block the vessels in the brain and lead to seizure, comma and eventually death, if not treated.

HOME REMEDIES

To combat this situation, experts say:

– TULSI is effective in controlling mosquitoes and malaria. It has been observed that wherever there is tulsi plant or damro flowers, they act like mosquito repellants.

PREVENTION

With some simple yet effective precautionary measures, one can prevent malaria. Here are some of the ways:

– Mosquito breed in stagnant water- whether it is a pool near your house,a pound in the neighborhood or a water puddle near your house from a long time. Get them closed and clean up as soon as possible. The water in the swimming pool needs to be circulated and chlorinated.

– If you store water in the house due to its shortage, ensure you close the container.

– Use mosquito screens,nets,fi bre glass meshes or magnetic insect repellent screen for your windows if you live in a mosquito-infested area. If possible, avoid the time immediately after dusk to venture out especially for children. If you need to, wear cloths that cover your body to a large extent.

– Indoor spraying with an insecticide is also recommended

– Insecticide treated bed nets should be used in areas where mosquitoes and malaria are rampant.

STAY HEALTHY!!!