Plasmodium parasites, which people contract by being bitten by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, are the source of the acute feverish sickness known as malaria. Insects contract the parasite when they bite a person who is already ill. When mosquitoes bite people, they then transmit malaria to other people. Some people who get malaria get a mild illness, but others get serious illnesses that can be fatal.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Malaria?
Fever, headaches, and chills are some of the first malaria symptoms that might develop one to ten days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms can be mild and challenging to diagnose as malaria. Nausea, generalized body aches and pains (particularly in the back and abdomen), and an excessively large spleen are other symptoms.
How Is Malaria Diagnosed?
Based on a patient’s symptoms, doctors recommend a malaria test. Doctors collect a blood sample to look for malaria parasites, which are visible inside infected red blood cells, under a microscope. If you experience the aforementioned signs, see a doctor right away to be tested.
Despite the fact that anyone can get malaria, young children and pregnant women are more prone to get severe sickness.
How Is Malaria Treated?
Anti-malarial medications are administered orally, intravenously, or by injection to treat malaria. Depending on the stage of the condition, a patient may receive treatment as an outpatient over a few days or get admitted in the hospital for IV medication, . Malaria may typically be cured in 2 weeks or less with early detection and treatment.
Preventing Episode
You should prevent the next malaria infection by doing the following:
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
- Wear long sleeves and pants during evenings out or when watching Television before bed time.
- You could also use mosquito repellent creams.
Reviewed by Dr. Alex Mayanja.
