Malaria is one of the most historical diseases that share a large part in the history of humankind. In Italian the word “mal ‘aria” means bad air. The word was first used in English by H. Walpole in 1740 while defining the ailment. In 20th century the term was reduced to its current form. In 1880, C. Laveran was the first who recognized that parasites exist in human blood. The fact that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes was realized by R. Ross in 1889. Plasmodium is the parasite that causes malaria. It is characterize by a cycle of fever, pain, sweating and chills as Plasmodium affects the red blood cells in the body. There are four types of malaria out of which Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most serous one due to threats it offers to life. P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale are the remaining three types that are less serious.
Plasmodium is the parasite that causes malaria. It is characterize by a cycle of fever, pain, sweating and chills as Plasmodium affects the red blood cells in the body. There are four types of malaria out of which Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most serous one due to threats it offers to life. P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale are the remaining three types that are less serious.
How does malaria infect?
It is very complicated to describe the life cycle of a parasite. However, if you need details visit http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/biology/life_cycle.htm. the cycle involves two hosts: human beings and Anopheles mosquitoes. The malaria parasite, named sporozoites enters into human body when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites someone. The sporozoites after its injection moves with the blood stream and reaches in the liver where it stays and gets mature to affect the red blood cells in the body. The parasite can develop once again in red blood cells. The cycle can be stooped only by the bite of another mosquito that is infected with Sporozoites and with a blood bite leaves the parasite. The new parasite repeats the same cycle and reach sin the liver where the first Sporozoites is already established and invades its salivary glands.
Whenever an Anopheles mosquito bites a human being the parasite is transmitted which completes and repeats the same cycle. P. ovale and P. vivax are potent to increase the complication of Plasmodium life cycle by developing dormant stages like Hypnozoites that may not develop from years to weeks.
Malaria as a disease of location
Malaria is one of the greatest issues in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. In the absence of proper precaution anyone who is living in or traveling to a place where malaria is exist is at risk of getting infected. It is estimated that about 40 per cent of the world population is at risk of getting malaria where the disease is examined in about 100 countries worldwide. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) has developed a web site where the list of malaria affected countries is constantly updated. In case you want to see more details visit http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/index.htm#riskareas.
Signs and symptoms of malaria
The symptoms of malaria vary from person to person. The characteristic symptom of malaria is fever accompanied by flu like illness, muscle ache, headaches and chills. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and cough is also observed in some patients. After 2 or 3 days the cycles of fever, chills and sweating repeats. The destruction of liver cells and red blood cells often lead to diarrhea, coughing, vomiting, whitening of eyes and yellowing skin or jaundice.
Along with complications, the infection can lead to one’s death in rare cases. Moreover, sever P. falciparum may encourage shock, bleeding problems, problems of central nervous system, kidney or liver failure and coma. Coma, seizures or changed mental status collectively called cerebral malaria can also occur as a result of intense P. falciparum infection. About 15 per cent to 20 per cent of those people who gets treatment die of malaria and in case not treated it is completely lethal.
Incubation period for malaria
It takes about 7 to 21 days, approximately 3 weeks, in the bite of the mosquito and the onset of malarial illness. The initial time frame is not restricted. At times it is observed that the incubation period could range from 4 days to even 1 year. The improper malaria prevention medication course can usually stretches the incubation time. The duration may prolong between 8 to 10 weeks in case of P. vivax and P. ovale. The parasite hibernates in the liver during this period. Relapsing is the situation when a person can re-develops malaria after recovering. This happens due to dormant malaria in the liver that remains undiscovered.
Diagnosing malaria
If any of the above symptoms are found in those people who have visited abroad or in countries that are red alert in malaria the physician diagnose malaria. Doctors in developed countries do not suggest malarial tests unless or until one has a history of traveling with clinical symptoms.
In one of the most typical and old method blood smear on microscope slide stained to highlight the parasites in red blood cells is used. The professionalism of the lab attendant who prepares and makes slides with a microscope determines the authenticity of the test.
There are also other test that are based on immunologic principles including rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that were approved in 2007 to be used in United States and polymeras chain reaction (PCR) test. Some researchers suggest that Giemsa blood smear should be used to confirm immunological based test. The classical Giemsa blood smear is affordable as compared to other latest but expensive malarial test.
Treating malaria
There are three factors that contribute in prescribing treatment to malaria.
- The infecting species of Plasmodium parasite;
- The clinical situation of the patient (like the intensity of malaria, age, gender and pregnancy); and
- The drug susceptibility of the infecting parasites.
The geography of the place where malaria infected one determines the drug susceptibility. Different parts of world are contaminated with different types of malaria which can be resisted by specific medication. The familiarity of the physician with the malaria treatment protocol is essential for suggesting the exact treatment. As we know that most of the patients suffering from P. falciparum malaria can die and not only exact but also immediate treatment is required to cure one.
Oral medication can be sued to deal with mild malaria where intravenous (IV) drug is required to tackle severe malaria. Treating malaria is not easy. Specialized labs exist to test the parasite of the patient for resistance.
Malaria in pregnant women can lead to abortion, pre-maturity and still birth. Malaria in pregnant women is more sever than how it is in non-pregnant women. It is estimated that each year 75,000 to 200,000 infants die of malaria in sub-Sahara Africa. On world scale it is observed that more than 1 million children die due to malaria annually. Treatment of pregnant ladies is same as of others however such medicines that can harm the fetus must be avoided.
In case you are traveling find out if the country is on CDC catalog. You should also consult doctor about the medication you should take before moving. CDC suggest that travelers must take anti-malarial drugs about 1 to 2 weeks before traveling to abroad and at least four weeks after returning from your venture to the malaria infested area.
There is no vaccine available for the malaria, however research is going on.
In case you can not postpone your visit to the malaria affected place than you should be at your guard and refrain from exposure to mosquitoes during early morning and early evening that is dusk and dawn when the mosquito activity is maximum. Your clothes must be properly covered. Sleeves should be full and pants should be long especially outdoors. You must not forget to apply a mosquito resistant lotion on your exposed skin. CDC prescribes an potion with 50 per cent DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) will be effective for children over the age of 2 months and adults.
In case your clothes are thin, do not forget to spray mosquito repellents on them before wearing. A mosquito repellant net, permethrine coated, must use on your bed. Cover windows and doors properly. Malaria is a curable disease but the best way is to avoid the risks as much as possible as the incubation period is quite long. We have tried to enlighten you on the subject and hope that the information prove helpful in increasing awareness.
