What is Malaria?

What is malaria? What are its symptoms? How is it diagnosed and treated? Is it a serious disease? Continue reading the article to learn about this disease in detail.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease caused by a type of parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver to mature. After several days, the mature parasites re-enter the bloodstream and attack red blood cells. Within 48-72 hours, the parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, causing them to burst open.

This disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid and hot. Statistics show that 290 million people are infected with malaria each year, and more than 400,000 people die from the disease.

What are the Symptoms of Malaria?

Malaria symptoms usually appear 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although in some cases, symptoms may not appear for several months. Some malaria parasites can enter the body and remain dormant for long periods, up to a year. Common symptoms of malaria include:

• Fever.
• Heavy sweating.
• Shaking chills, ranging from mild to severe.
• Headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Fatigue and general malaise.
• Chest pain.
• Breathing problems, including rapid breathing and coughing.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Bloody stools.

In severe cases, malaria can cause anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and white of the eyes). Some severe forms of malaria can lead to coma, known as cerebral malaria.

What Causes Malaria?

Anyone can get malaria if they are bitten by a mosquito infected with a single-celled parasite from the Plasmodium genus. While there are many types of this parasite, only five cause malaria in humans. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver to mature and reproduce before returning to the blood to infect red blood cells, triggering symptoms.

In addition to mosquito bites, malaria can be contracted through exposure to infected blood, which can occur in the following situations:

1. From a pregnant mother to her unborn child.
2. Through blood transfusions.
3. By sharing needles used for injecting drugs.

How is Malaria Diagnosed?

To diagnose malaria, a doctor will start with a physical exam and ask about the patient's symptoms and recent travel history. Blood tests will then be ordered to confirm the presence of the parasite in the blood, determine the type of parasite, and check for drug resistance.

You can undergo a malaria antigen test provided by Blazma, which requires no specific conditions.

How is Malaria Treated?

Most people with malaria recover completely with early treatment, which typically involves taking medication to kill the parasite in the bloodstream. Severe symptoms may require hospitalization for additional care. 

The choice of medication depends on several factors, including the type of parasite, the severity of symptoms, age, pregnancy status, and other factors. The available medications, which may be prescribed alone or in combination, include:

• Chloroquine phosphate.
• Artemisinin drugs.
• Atovaquone.
• Quinine.
• Doxycycline.
• Primaquine.

Is Malaria a Serious Disease?

Yes, malaria can cause serious complications if not treated, including seizures, brain damage, breathing difficulties, organ failure, and sometimes death.