Malaria Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites of infected mosquitoes. All you need to know about Malaria Causes, Symptoms and Prevention.

Malaria is caused by which mosquito?

Most often, malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria and can be transmitted through the blood meal taken from an previously infected person.

Which mosquito causes malaria and dengue?

Malaria is caused by the female mosquito Anopheles. Dengue is caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Malaria

Malaria is a fatal disease when mosquitoes infect a person. Mosquitoes carry these bacteria in the bloodstream. Symptoms of malaria include fever and chills. Malaria is rare in the United States and is found in tropical countries like Africa and Asia. Malaria can be treated if caught early.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a serious disease transmitted by an infected mosquito bites. When mosquitoes bite, mosquitoes inject malaria parasites into the human bloodstream.

If left untreated, malaria can lead to health problems such as seizures, brain damage, shortness of breath, organ failure and death. The disease is rare in the United States. If you are going to an area where malaria is endemic, talk to your doctor about malaria prevention.

How common is malaria in India?

According to WMR 2019, India accounts for 3% of the global malaria burden. Despite the highest incidence of malaria in the SEA region, India recorded a 49% reduction in malaria cases and 50.5% fewer deaths compared to 2017.

What causes malaria?

People get malaria when an infected mosquito bites them. Mosquitoes are spread by biting a person with malaria. Mosquitoes spread the parasite into the human bloodstream, where the parasites multiply. Five types of malaria can be transmitted to humans.

In rare cases, pregnant women with malaria can pass the disease to their babies before or at birth. Rarely, malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, body fluids, and hypodermic needles.

Symptoms of malaria?

Symptoms of malaria usually appear 10 days to 1 month after infection. Symptoms may be mild. Some people stay healthy for up to a year after being bitten by a mosquito. Parasites can stay in the body for many years without symptoms.

The symptoms of malaria are similar to those of the common cold. These include:

• Headache and muscle aches
• Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Fever and sweating
• Chest pain, breathing problems and cough
• Chills that shake the whole body
• Fatigue

As malaria progresses, it can lead to diabetes and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and white eyes).

Also Read: 10 Natural Home Treatments For Malaria

How is malaria diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your symptoms and travel history. It is important to share information about the countries you have recently visited so that doctors can better understand your risk.

To confirm a diagnosis of malaria, doctors do a blood test and refer you to a malaria parasite lab. Blood tests can detect malaria and identify the parasites that are causing the symptoms. This information will help your doctor make the right decision for you.

How is malaria treated?

Treatment for malaria should begin as soon as possible. To treat malaria, your doctor may prescribe anti-malaria medicine. Some of these parasites are resistant to antimalarial drugs. The type of medicine and when to take it depends on the disease causing the symptoms.

Antimalarial drugs include:

• Chloroquine
• Artemisinin drugs (artemether and artesunate)
• Quinine
• Atovaquone (Mepron)
• Mefloquine
• Doxycycline (Doxy-100, Monodox, Oracea)

Also Read: Life Threatening Bite of The Dengue Mosquito

Antimalarial Medications Side Effects

Antimalarial drugs can cause side effects. Tell your doctor about any other medicine you are taking as the antimalarial drugs may interfere. Depending on the drug, side effects may include:

• Headaches
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Seizures
• Gastrointestinal
• Psychological disorders and vision problems

Prevention of malaria?

If you live or travel to an area where malaria is endemic, ask your doctor for a malaria prevention medications. Medication should be taken before, during and after your stay.

You have to be careful not to have mosquitoes. To reduce your risk of getting malaria, you should:

• Put a mosquito netting over beds
• Wear long pants and long sleeves to cover your skin.
• Apply a mosquito repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) to the skin
• Treat clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags, and other fabrics with an insect repellent called permethrin
• Put screens on windows and doors.

Is malaria caused by protozoa?

Malaria is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Four species, P falciparum, P vivax, P ovale and P malariae, are harmful to humans. Other species of Plasmodium infect reptiles, birds and other animals. Malaria is transmitted to humans by the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles.

What cell is malaria caused by?

The parasite that causes malaria is a small bacteria called Plasmodium. Malaria is more common in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa, South America and Asia. Malaria can be fatal if not treated and diagnosed immediately.