What is Malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The parasites multiply in the person's liver, infecting red blood cells. If left untreated, malaria can be a severe and potentially life-threatening illness. There are several types of parasites that can cause malaria, and they are found in different parts of the world.

When a mosquito bites an infected person, it picks up the parasites, which are present in the person's blood. When the mosquito then bites another person, the parasites are transmitted to the new host through the mosquito's saliva.

Once inside the new host, the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply. After a period of time, the parasites leave the liver and enter the red blood cells. Inside the red blood cells, the parasites multiply again and eventually rupture the cells, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream.

Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, play a vital role in the body. They are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled. When red blood cells are destroyed in large numbers, it can lead to a condition called anemia, which is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen) in the blood.

Anemia can cause a number of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pale skin. In severe cases, it can lead to organ damage and even death. The destruction of red blood cells is one of the main ways that malaria causes illness and death. By disrupting the normal functioning of the red blood cells, the parasites can cause a range of serious complications, including kidney failure, brain damage, and respiratory distress.

The malaria-causing parasites include : Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi. P. falciparum is the most common and the most severe type of malaria. It is found in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia. P. vivax is found in many parts of the world, including Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. P. ovale is found in West Africa. P. malariae is found worldwide, but it is less common than the other types of malaria. P. knowlesi is found in Southeast Asia and is transmitted by the long-tailed macaque monkey.

They are most prevalent in areas with warm, humid climates and poor living conditions, such as those found in many tropical and subtropical countries. In these areas, the parasites are able to thrive and multiply, leading to high rates of malaria transmission.

The time it takes for the symptoms of malaria to appear (the incubation period) varies depending on the type of parasite that causes the infection and the person's immune system. In general, the incubation period for malaria ranges from 7 to 30 days, with an average of about 10-15 days.

The first symptoms of malaria typically include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. These symptoms can come on suddenly and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, the symptoms may be mild and may resolve on their own without treatment. In other cases, the symptoms can be severe and may progress to more serious complications, such as anemia, kidney failure, brain damage, and respiratory distress.

If left untreated, it can lead to a number of serious complications, such as anemia, kidney failure, brain damage, and respiratory distress. These complications can be life-threatening, particularly in people who have weakened immune systems, such as young children, pregnant women, and people with HIV/AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization, malaria was responsible for an estimated 409,000 deaths worldwide in 2019. The majority of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to diagnosis and treatment is often limited. However, malaria can occur anywhere in the world, and it is important for travelers to be aware of the risk of infection and take steps to protect themselves when visiting areas where the disease is prevalent.

As an ancient disease, malaria has been recognized for thousands of years. The word "malaria" itself is derived from the Italian words "mal" (meaning "bad") and "aria" (meaning "air"), which refers to the belief that the disease was caused by bad air. This belief persisted for centuries, and it wasn't until the late 1800s that scientists finally discovered that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes.

The first effective treatment for malaria, quinine, was derived from the bark of the cinchona tree and was used by the indigenous people of South America for centuries. It wasn't until the mid-1600s that quinine was introduced to Europe, where it became widely used to treat malaria and other febrile illnesses.

In the late 1800s, a French army doctor named Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran discovered the parasites that cause malaria while working in Algeria. In the early 1900s, a British army doctor named Ronald Ross discovered that malaria was transmitted by mosquitoes. This discovery led to the development of control measures, such as insecticides and mosquito nets, which have been instrumental in reducing the burden of malaria in many parts of the world.

I'm having symptoms of malaria, what should I do?

If you have recently been in an area where malaria is prevalent and you develop symptoms of the disease, such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria can help to prevent serious complications and improve the chances of a full recovery.

When you visit a healthcare provider, be sure to tell them about your recent travel and any symptoms you are experiencing. They will likely ask you a series of questions and perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your symptoms. They may also order blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of malaria and to identify the type of parasite that is causing the infection.

If you are diagnosed with malaria, your healthcare provider will prescribe medications to kill the parasites and alleviate your symptoms. The type of medication and the length of treatment will depend on the type of parasite that is causing the infection, as well as the severity of your illness. In most cases, treatment for malaria involves taking oral medications for several days. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.

Antimalarial medications work by either killing the malaria parasites that have infected the person's red blood cells or by preventing the parasites from multiplying. The specific medication and dosage that is used will depend on the type of malaria that the person has and other factors such as their age and overall health. Some commonly used medications for malaria include:

• Chloroquine: This medication is used to treat malaria caused by the Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale parasites. It works by interfering with the parasite's ability to produce and store a substance called heme, which is necessary for its survival.

• Hydroxychloroquine: This medication is similar to chloroquine and is also used to treat malaria caused by the P. vivax and P. ovale parasites. It is usually taken in combination with other medications to increase its effectiveness.

• Mefloquine: This medication is used to treat malaria caused by the P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites. It works by inhibiting the growth of the parasites and preventing them from multiplying.

• Atovaquone-proguanil: This combination medication is used to treat malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite. It works by preventing the parasites from producing energy, which is necessary for their survival.

• Doxycycline: This antibiotic is used to treat malaria caused by the P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites. It works by inhibiting the growth of the parasites and preventing them from multiplying.

• Primaquine: This medication is used to treat malaria caused by the P. vivax and P. ovale parasites. It works by killing the liver stages of the parasites, which are responsible for relapses of the infection.

• Artemether-lumefantrine: This combination medication is used to treat malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite. It works by inhibiting the growth of the parasites and preventing them from multiplying.

• Artesunate: This medication is used to treat severe malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite. It works by inhibiting the growth of the parasites and preventing them from multiplying.

• Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine: This combination medication is used to treat malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of folate, a substance that is necessary for the parasites to multiply.

It is important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions and take all of your medications as directed to ensure a full recovery. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen despite treatment, be sure to let your healthcare provider know as soon as possible. They may need to adjust your treatment plan or order additional tests.