Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and a huge public health problem. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The most severe forms of the disease are caused by Plasmodium fa l CI par u m and Plasmodium viva x, but other related species (Plasmodium oval e, Plasmodium malaria e and sometimes Plasmodium Knowles i) can also infect humans.
This group of human pathogenic Plasmodium species is usually referred to as malaria parasites. Malaria is a health problem in many tropical countries. It is also a problem for people visiting these countries. Your chances of getting malaria are highest when you travel to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, sub-Saharan African countries, and some remote places in Southeast Asia.
Many of the diseases that afflict the human body today are bad, if not terrible. The past two decades have seen much publicity about AIDS, with TV coverage and pop concerts, but malaria goes without a mention. Each year, it is estimated that more than 600 million people and children will suffer from malaria, and the estimated death rate is something up to 3 million. This number cannot be exact because many people who suffer never even see a doctor because they live in poor communities far from medical help. How do you get malaria? * Malaria is transmitted to humans by a special species of mosquito called Anopheles, which is found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. * An infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects malaria parasites (microscopic organisms) into the blood. How is malaria transmitted? As is well known, malaria is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
The scientific name of a particular species of mosquito is Anopheles. An infected Anopheles mosquito bites a human and injects malaria parasites into the blood. Malaria parasites then travel through the bloodstream to the liver and eventually infect red blood cells. Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache and vomiting and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after a mosquito bite. If left untreated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, parasites have developed resistance to a number of antimalarial drugs.
Treatment Doctors treat malaria with antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine or quinine, given by mouth, by injection, or intravenously (into a vein). Depending on the type of parasite causing malaria, a person may be treated on an outpatient basis within a few days or may require hospitalization with IV medications. Doctors also watch for signs of dehydration, seizures, anemia and other complications that can affect the brain, kidneys or spleen.
The patient may need fluids, blood transfusions and help with breathing. Prevention For prevention, you need to get the most up-to-date information from your doctor, who will advise you on the precautions regarding the various vaccines. You also need to make sure you have the right kind of mesh for your bedding and make sure you have some form of replanting. Consult your doctor before visiting any tropical or subtropical area with a high risk of malaria. Your doctor can give your family anti-malarial medication to prevent the disease.
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