Everything You Need to Know About Malaria

Malaria is a disease that is of global health concern. Despite making progress in fighting this mosquito-borne illness, we still witness millions of cases every year. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. With globalisation and increased travel, even those in developed nations with strong healthcare systems are at risk of exposure. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about malaria—what causes it, how it spreads, different kinds of malaria parasites, common symptoms, diagnosis, and especially how it can be prevented or treated.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is caused by a parasite named Plasmodium. This parasite is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasite multiplies in the liver and then attacks red blood cells. This can cause severe symptoms, mainly fever and chills. For some people, malaria can be deadly. Luckily, the disease is preventable and, more importantly, treatable. If you plan a trip to a high-risk area, ensure you have protective clothing, bed nets, and mosquito repellant.

Symptoms Of Malaria

The main symptoms of malaria include the following:

• High fever is one of the most common symptoms people tend to disregard. The fever may come in intervals, causing the body temperature to rise sharply and then drop, accompanied by chills.
• Infected people experience severe chills that can range from moderate to severe.
• Profuse sweating is seen in most individuals as the body struggles to maintain its temperature due to fever spikes.
• Headaches are common during malaria infections, ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and persist throughout the illness.
• A person may experience abdominal pain, which can range from mild discomfort to a little too much. The patient might feel weird churning sensations in their stomach.
• Muscle pain is very common due to this parasitic disease. As the body gets weaker, the muscles and joints start aching.
• Patients experience nausea for a long time, which kills their appetite.
• Vomiting is also one of the severe symptoms of malaria. This also leads to loss of water from the body.
• Diarrhoea is another symptom that also promotes the loss of water in the body. It also hinders the absorption of nutrients in the body.
• Anaemia can occur due to malaria as blood platelet levels drop.
• Deep breathing and respiratory distress: A person might need to take deep breaths profusely and have respiratory issues like feeling claustrophobic or deprived of air.
• Clinical jaundice and vital organ dysfunction can also occur.
• A patient might lose consciousness due to malaria.
• Coma is a severe symptom indicating infection is taking over the body.
• Severe infection can lead to bloody stools, adding to the patient’s discomfort.

Causes of Malaria

Several species of Plasmodium can cause malaria in humans, including:

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium ovale
• Plasmodium malaria
• Plasmodium knowlesi

When a mosquito, specifically a female Anopheles mosquito, feeds on an infected individual’s blood, it ingests the parasites and blood. Within the mosquito, the parasites undergo development, eventually reaching the stage where they can infect another person when the mosquito feeds on another human.

When the infected mosquito bites a healthy individual, the parasite travels through the bloodstream and reaches the liver to reproduce. After that, they return to the bloodstream and infect the healthy red blood cells. This is when symptoms like chills and fever begin showing up. The symptoms get worse as the number of parasites multiply. Several human and environmental factors are responsible for the spread of malaria, such as climate change, stagnant water bodies where mosquitoes breed, and poor health infrastructure.

Where is the Condition Common?

Malaria is common in tropical and subtropical countries. These regions are warm and humid, making them suitable for breeding mosquitoes. Common areas recognised by WHO where malaria outbreaks are seen every year are:

• Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths globally. Countries like Nigeria, Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso have high transmission rates due to climate, lack of resources, and socioeconomic challenges.

• South and Southeast Asia: Countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and some parts of Southeast Asia have significant malaria transmission, although progress has been made in reducing the incidence in some areas.

• Latin America: Malaria is present in some countries of Central and South America, with higher incidence rates in regions such as the Amazon basin, affecting countries like Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Malaria is common in these areas due to the climate as well as poor health infrastructure in these countries. This emphasises the need for more awareness. Efforts by governments, international organisations, and health agencies have led to significant strides in reducing malaria cases, but it remains a major health concern in these areas.

Diagnosis of Malaria

Malaria testing determines whether the parasite is present in the patient’s blood. Some methods used as diagnostic techniques are:

• Microscopic examination: A medical professional will use a microscope to look for plasmodium parasites in a blood smear.

• Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs): RDTs are quick and easy-to-use tests that detect specific malaria antigens in a blood sample. The test usually provides immediate results within 15 to 20 minutes. This method is used during emergencies and when there is an increased number of patients.

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR tests are highly sensitive and accurate molecular techniques. It is used to detect the genetic material of the malaria parasite. PCR can accurately identify the distinctive species of Plasmodium.

Treatment of Malaria

Malaria treatment depends on various factors. These factors include the severity of symptoms, parasite species, age, and health status of the person.

Commonly used medications for treating malaria include:

• Antimalarial drugs

Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs): ACTs, such as artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine, and others, are effective against Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most deadly malaria parasite. The therapy works by reducing the number of parasites in the blood.

• Chloroquine and other medications

This medication is used for regions where the malaria parasite is still sensitive to chloroquine. However, due to increasing resistance, it may not be effective in some areas. Medications like mefloquine or atovaquone-proguanil may be prescribed depending on the specific type of parasite and drug resistance patterns.

• Treatment of Severe Malaria

In severe cases of malaria, particularly caused by Plasmodium falciparum, hospitalisation and intravenous (IV) medications like quinine or artesunate are required. This is vital in preventing complications in the body and reducing the risk of death.

• Preventive therapy

Chemoprophylaxis is prescribed in some instances where the patient is at risk of contracting malaria.

How Can Malaria Be Prevented?

Prevention of malaria requires a multifaceted approach to minimise the risk of mosquito bites and parasite transmission. Some of the key preventive measures are as follows:

• Vector control
• Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (ITNs): Sleeping under ITNs can significantly reduce mosquito bites, especially during nighttime when the Anopheles mosquitoes, carriers of malaria, are active.
• Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS): Spraying insecticides inside dwellings helps kill mosquitoes and reduce their numbers, decreasing the risk of malaria transmission.
• Other methods include using mosquito repellents like incense sticks, fabric roll-ons, and creams.

• Antimalarial medication

If you are travelling to a malaria-prone area, it is advised to take Chemoprophylaxis to reduce the risk of infection. It is taken before, during and after the trip. Consultation with a healthcare professional is essential to determine the most suitable medication based on the travel destination and individual health considerations.

• Environmental measures

Eliminating or reducing mosquito breeding sites by draining stagnant water, covering water containers, and proper waste management helps limit mosquito reproduction. Building houses with screened windows and doors can reduce indoor exposure to mosquitoes. Prompt water is where mosquitoes breed and can be collected outside the home. Stay aware of the surroundings and check for stagnant water regularly.

• Community Engagement and Education

Increasing awareness among people through various means of mass communication can significantly help prevent malaria. Involving communities in malaria control programs can enhance the adoption of preventive measures and improve overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

To sum it up, malaria is a preventable, deadly disease. We must educate ourselves and others about this illness to prevent its spread. From understanding its transmission and symptoms to knowing how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, we can all play a role in eradicating malaria. Let’s not wait for an outbreak to take action; let’s start now by making small changes in our daily lives, advocating for change, and ensuring we have health insurance for added protection.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.