MALARIA, THE MOST DEADLY PARASITE!!!
INTRODUCTION:
Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitos. It is one of the most common infectious illnesses and a major public health concern throughout the world, particularly in Africa and South Asia. It's a parasitic disease caused by plasmodium parasites that can be fatal. Humans were infected by the parasite after being bitten by infected mosquitoes. P. vivax is the most common parasite in the WHO Americas Region, accounting for 75 percent of malaria infections.
SYMPTOMS:
Signs and symptoms of malaria may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- General feeling of discomfort
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Cough
Malaria sufferers may undergo "attacks" on a regular basis. Shivering and chills are common symptoms of an attack, which are followed by a high fever, sweating, and a return to normal temperature.
Symptoms of malaria usually appear a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some malaria parasites, on the other hand, can remain dormant in your body for up to a year.
WHAT ACTUALLY
HAPPENS?
MOSQUITO TRANSMISSION
CYCLE:
OTHER TRANSMISSION
MODES:
People can contract malaria by coming into contact with infected blood because the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells.
- From the mother to the foetus
- Through the use of blood transfusions
- By sharing drug-injecting needles
TREATMENT:
Malaria can be fatal, especially if you're infected with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. In most cases, the condition is treated in a hospital setting. Medications will be prescribed by your doctor based on the type of parasite you have.
Because parasite resistance to medications exists in some cases, the medication provided may not be enough to clear the illness. If this happens, your doctor may need to treat your problem with more than one medicine or change medications entirely.
Furthermore, some malaria parasites, such as P. vivax and P. ovale, have liver stages in which the parasite can persist in your body for a long time and then reactivate at a later time, causing a relapse of the infection. If one of these types of malaria parasites is discovered, you'll be given a second treatment to prevent a future relapse..
COMPLICATIONS:
Deaths from malaria are frequently caused by one or more significant complications, such as:
- Malaria of the brain. Swelling of the brain or brain damage may develop if parasite-filled blood cells block small blood arteries to the brain (cerebral malaria). Seizures and coma are possible side effects of cerebral malaria.
- Breathing difficulties. It can be difficult to breathe if you have a buildup of fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema).
- Failure of one or more organs. Malaria can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and spleen, as well as spleen rupture. Any of these disorders can put your life in jeopardy.
- Anemia. Malaria may cause a deficiency in red blood cells, resulting in an insufficient delivery of oxygen to your body's tissues (anemia)
- Low blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be caused by severe forms of malaria, as well as quinine, a traditional malaria treatment. Low blood sugar levels might lead to unconsciousness or death.
PREVENTION:
If you reside in or are visiting a malaria-prone location, take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are at their most active between the hours of dark and dawn. You should take the following precautions to avoid mosquito bites:
- Make sure your skin is protected.
- Use an insect repellent on your skin.
- Clothing should be treated with repellant.
- Sleep with a net over your head.
Malaria prevention medicines are often the same as those used to treat the disease. The drug you take is determined by where you're going, how long you'll be gone, and your personal health.
VACCINE:
Researchers
are developing malaria vaccines to prevent infection, but currently vaccines
are experimental and not approved for general use.
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