Malaria is a disease that infects red blood cells and is transferred by infected mosquitoes. There are many different types of malaria and every region has its own driving force, drug treatments and future predictions. Malaria treatment needs to be as precise as possible because each type responds differently to different means of treatment.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito. The disease is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is a leading cause of death, particularly among children.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, and flu-like illness. If not treated promptly, malaria can lead to severe illness and even death. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria is essential to preventing serious complications.
There is no vaccine available for malaria, but there are several effective treatments. Prevention of malaria is primarily through avoidance of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that carry the parasite typically bite between dusk and dawn, so it is important to take precautions during these times to avoid being bitten. These measures include wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito nets, and using insect repellent.
Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of malaria can begin as early as 7 days or as late as 30 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The most common symptoms of malaria include:
Fever
Chills
Sweats
Headache
Body aches and pains
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
in some cases, severe anemia (low red blood cell count), seizure, coma, and death. Malaria is diagnosed based on the symptoms and laboratory testing of a person’s blood. Treatment of malaria generally involves a combination of antimalarial drugs given for 3 to 7 days, depending on the type of parasite causing the infection and the person’s symptoms.
How does eradicating malaria help save lives?
Malaria is responsible for the deaths of nearly half a million people each year, most of them children in Africa. Eradicating the disease would have a profound impact on global health, saving millions of lives and preventing untold suffering.
Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, which breed in standing water. The disease causing parasites are passed on to humans when an infected mosquito bites. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 10 days to 4 weeks after infection and include fever, chills, and flu-like illness. If left untreated, malaria can quickly lead to severe illness and death.
While there is no cure for malaria, it can be treated with medication. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to survival. However, access to diagnosis and treatment is often limited in developing countries where malaria is prevalent.
Eradicating malaria would have a profound impact on global health. It would save millions of lives and prevent untold suffering. In addition, it would free up resources that are currently being used to treat the disease, allowing those resources to be redirected to other pressing health concerns.
How can we avoid getting infected in the first place?
Malaria is a serious and life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
There are four species of malaria parasites that infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. Of these, P. falciparum is the most deadly.
Malaria is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The vast majority of cases occur in Africa, where an estimated 90% of all malaria deaths occur. South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America also have high rates of malaria transmission.
There are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent malaria infection:
• Use insect repellent: Make sure to use an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are present. Repellents can also be used on clothing.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants: Clothing that covers the arms and legs will help to protect against mosquito bites.
• Use mosquito nets: Sleeping under a mosquito net treated with insecticide (such as pyrethrin or permethrin) can help to reduce exposure to mosquitoes at night. Nets should be tucked under the mattress and not have any gaps or holes in them.
What is needed for optimal treatment success?
If you are diagnosed with malaria, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. The most effective way to treat malaria is with a combination of drugs. The most common drug combinations used to treat malaria are:
chloroquine + proguanil
atovaquone + proguanil
doxycycline + quinine
artemether + lumefantrine.
It is important that you finish the entire course of medication, even if you feel better after a few days. If you stop treatment early, the parasites can become resistant to the medication and it will no longer be effective.
Anti-malarial Drugs treatments – how they work and how to use them
Malaria is a serious and life-threatening disease caused by infection with parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
There are different types of anti-malarial drugs, and they work in different ways. Some of the most common anti-malarial drugs include:
Chloroquine: Chloroquine is an inexpensive and widely available drug that has been used for many years to treat and prevent malaria. It is also sometimes used as a second-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (Fansidar®): This combination drug is usually given as a single dose to treat malaria. It can also be used to prevent malaria if you are travelling to an area where there is a risk of infection.
artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs): ACTs are the most effective anti-malarial drugs available and are usually given as a course of treatment. They are sometimes used as a first-line treatment for severe or complicated malaria.
It is important to take anti-malarial drugs exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You will usually need to take them for 3 to 7 days, depending on the type of drug, your age, and whether you have any other medical conditions.
If you are taking chloroquine or Fansidar®, you will need to take it once a week, on the same day each
Post Treatment Care
After you have been treated for malaria, it is important to take steps to prevent the disease from coming back. This includes taking prescribed antimalarial medication, using mosquito nets and repellents, and avoiding areas where the disease is common.
It is also important to see your doctor for follow-up care. This is because some types of malaria can cause serious complications, such as anemia or kidney failure. Your doctor will monitor your condition and make sure that you are healing properly.
Conclusion
Malaria is a serious disease that can be deadly if not treated properly. If you are planning on traveling to an area where malaria is prevalent, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Be sure to consult with your doctor and get the appropriate vaccinations and medications before your trip. And if you do come down with malaria, be sure to seek medical treatment immediately. With the proper precautions and treatment, you can keep this deadly disease from ruining your travel plans.
