World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.

It is held every year on 25th April to promote awareness and raise funds to fight against malaria.

This year’s theme is dubbed: “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.”

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MALARIA

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite.

It spreads when you’re bitten by a mosquito infected by tiny parasites.

When it bites, the mosquito injects malaria parasites into your bloodstream. Malaria is caused by parasites, not by a virus or by a type of bacterium.

While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries. Each year nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die of the disease.

SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA

• Fever
• Chills
• A general feeling of discomfort
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Cough

CAUSES

When a mosquito bites someone who has malaria, the mosquito becomes infected. When that mosquito bites someone else, it transfers a parasite to the other person’s bloodstream.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Malaria spreads when a mosquito becomes infected with the disease after biting an infected person, and the infected mosquito then bites a noninfected person. The malaria parasites enter that person’s bloodstream and travel to the liver. When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect red blood cells.

Other modes of transmission;

• From mother to unborn child
• Through blood transfusions
• By sharing needles used to inject drugs

Risk factors 

The greatest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or to visit areas where the disease is common. These include the tropical and subtropical regions of:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• South and Southeast Asia
• Pacific Islands
• Central America and northern South America

Other individuals at risk include;

• Young children and infants
• Older adults
• Travelers coming from areas with no malaria
• Pregnant women and their unborn children

In many countries with high malaria rates, the problem is worsened by a lack of access to preventive measures, medical care, and information.

Complications 

• Cerebral malaria. If parasite-filled blood cells block small blood vessels in your brain (cerebral malaria), swelling of your brain or brain damage may occur. Cerebral malaria may cause seizures and coma.
• Breathing problems. Accumulated fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) can make it difficult to breathe.
• Organ failure. Malaria can damage the kidneys or liver or cause the spleen to rupture. Any of these conditions can be life-threatening.
• Anemia. Malaria may result in not having enough red blood cells for an adequate supply of oxygen to your body’s tissues (anemia).
• Low blood sugar. Severe forms of malaria can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can quinine — a common medication used to combat malaria. Very low blood sugar can result in coma or death.
• Some varieties of the malaria parasite, which typically cause milder forms of the disease, can persist for years and cause relapses.

Prevention 

• Cover your skin. Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck in your shirt, and tuck your pant legs into socks.
• Apply insect repellent to the skin. Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency on any exposed skin. These include repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. Do not use a spray directly on your face. Do not use products with oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) on children under age 3.
• Apply repellent to clothing. Sprays containing permethrin are safe to apply to clothing.
• Sleep under a net. Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticides, such as permethrin, help prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.

Diagnosis 

Blood tests can indicate:

• The presence of the parasite in the blood, to confirm that you have malaria
• Which type of malaria parasite is causing your symptoms
• If your infection is caused by a parasite resistant to certain drugs
• Whether the disease is causing any serious complications

For personalized and expert care, visit Forever Champion Health Centre today or book an appointment. We join in the fight against malaria through organic and holistic treatments and prevention methods.