Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease common in tropical regions like Africa, Asia, Haiti, Dominican Republic and some parts of America. It is spread through mosquito bites, usually the female Anopheles mosquito, a single cell micro-organism mostly active at night. When an infected mosquito bites, it transmits the parasite into the bloodstream, symptoms occur after 7 or more days. Malaria can also be transmitted through blood contact or use of contaminated needles but this is very selten. Symptons include:

• fever
• headaches
• sweating, chills
• vomiting
• muscle and joint pains
• shivering
• diarrhoea

It is highly recommended to consult a doctor when any of these symptoms are noticed after visiting a high risk region, because the illness can be fatal if not quickly or properly treated. Especially in babies, pregnant women and old people. Malaria can sometimes lead to severe complications such as:

• Anaemia  the red blood cells are destroyed by malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) and as a result less oxygenated blood are carried to the various cells and organs
• brain damage or even death
• Jaundice
• miscarriages

There are various preventive measures which can be taken to avoid the occurence of the disease e.g

• using mosquito net around your bed
• using insecticides or insect repellents
• taken malaria prevention tablets

Typically, malaria can be treated with Chloroquine, Quinine, mefloquine and many more depending on the type of malaria, its severity, whether pregnant or infant. However its very important to consult a physician.