Everything you need to know about Malaria and Preventive Healthcare
According to the WHO’s World Malaria Report (WMR) 2019, India represents 3% of the global malaria burden. India is known to be the only high endemic country which has reported a decline of 17.4% in 2019.
A prevalent disease in most parts of the world, malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The infected mosquito carries the Plasmodium parasite which when bitten is released into the bloodstream. Malaria may cause other serious problems such as damage to the heart, kidneys, and lungs and is typically transmitted through the following ways -
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Blood transfusion
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Organ Transplant
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Use of shared syringes
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From an infected mother to her child at birth.
Types of Malarial Parasites
There are 5 types of Plasmodium that can potentially infect a human body. They are:
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Plasmodium falciparum
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Plasmodium malariae
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Plasmodium vivax
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Plasmodium ovale
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Plasmodium knowlesi
Falciparum malaria is known to cause more severe problems. Patients with this malaria may develop liver and kidney failures, convulsions or even coma.
Symptoms of Malaria
Symptoms can be identified as being similar to those caused by viruses and bacteria. How badly you are affected depends on your age, the type of malarial parasite you got infected by and your general health. Some of the common symptoms are-
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High Fever
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Headache
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Excessive sweating
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Chills
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Nausea and Vomiting
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Fatigue
The symptoms are known to develop within 7 days to 30 days, from the initial exposure to the malarial parasite. In some cases, the incubation period may be longer and the time period between the various symptoms may also vary for different types of the parasite.
If you experience any of the above symptoms that are persistent, it is advisable to seek help from a doctor near you . Through thorough health assessment your doctor will be able to identify whether you have malaria, what kind of malarial parasite you have been infected with and if the infection has affected any of your vital organs. The doctor then will then be able to devise the best possible way to treat you.
Diagnosis
How Malaria is treated depends on several factors such as -
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Your condition (age, general health, etc.)
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Whether the malarial parasite you have is resistant to certain medication
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Sides effects of the medication
Your doctor will be able to determine if you have malaria by a blood smear test, where they will take a small of your blood on a glass slide and view it under the microscope. Some other useful tests your doctor may suggest are,
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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: Helps identity parasitic nucleic acids.
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Complete Blood Count (CBC): This helps detect anemia or other infections.
Malaria Preventive Health Tips:
1. Sleeping under a mosquito net
Mosquito nets are widely used as a preventive measure as they act as a barrier between you and the mosquitoes. They are very easily available and are cost efficient.
2. Using a bug spray containing DEET
Bug repellents that contain diethyltoluamide are the most effective against mosquitoes. However, be careful while applying them as they could cause eye irritation or skin rations if applied excessively. They are available as both aerosols and ointments.
3. Wear long trousers and shirts with longer sleeves
Make sure you sleep in clothes that cover you properly. Keep your windows shut, especially during the evening and night as it's feeding time for these mosquitoes.
Malaria is a treatable and a preventable disease. Early diagnosis can not only prevent deaths but also cut down on malarial transmissions.
Why choose A.J. Hospital for treatment?
At A.J. Hospital we follow the saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’ to the T. Early detection can be the deciding factor for your life. Our expert healthcare workers and advanced medical technologies will provide for you the most comprehensive means of taking care of your health amid the ever changing lifestyles. We have preventive health check-up packages that are specifically designed for all age groups. Book your appointment with us now and stay on top of your health!