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Malaria - Malaria symptom, treatment, causes

Malaria is atype of fever and a parasitic infection characterised by episodes of chills, fever and sweating, and by ANAEMIA and enlargement of the spleen. Untreated ma1aria becomes a chronic infection with intermittent acute flare-ups. The infecting protozoon (single-cell animal) can be any of four species, of the Plasmodium family. which spend part of their life cycle (see illustration over page) in humans and part in mosquitoes of the Anoph1es genus. Humans become infected from the bite of an infected mosquito or by the sharing of needles and syringes among intravenous, drug-users.

Immature parasites (phismodia) that are injected into humans in mosquito saliva during a bite multiply in liver-cells. After maturing for a variable period (average 2 to 4 weeks), parasites are released into the blood, and inwade red cel1s. where they multiply further and' eventually cause the cells to rupture. The released forms invade other red cells, and so, the disease goes on. Each attack of fever coincides with the near-simultaneous rupture of thousands of red cel1s. In some red cel1s the parasites develop into forms that do not cause cell rupture but can survive in blood taken by a mosquito when it bites an infected person, thus perpetuating the cycle.

Malaria is an infection of the blood that is carried from person to person by mosquitoes. The illness results in recurrent attacks of chills and fever, and it can be deadly. The disease has been recognized for thousands of years and once was found almost everywhere except in the most northern areas of the world. Malaria has been wiped out in North America, Western Europe, and Russia. It remains a serious problem in much of the tropical and subtropical world, however. Evolving strains of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes continue to make this disease a global health issue. Malaria remains one of the world's leading infectious killers, particularly of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of people continue to be infected every year, and probably up to 1 million of them die. Although the United States is malaria-free, hundreds of cases a year are still reported here. Most American cases of malaria develop in travelers who have recently returned from parts of the world where malaria is widespread. Generally, Africa carries the highest risk for the most serious cases.

Malaria (marsh fever, periodic fever) is a parasitic disease that involves infection of the red blood cells (RBCs). It is caused by any of four single-celled parasites of the Plasmodium species, which are carried by mosquitoes infected from biting someone who already has the disease. It is rarely passed from person to person (from mother to child in "congenital malaria," or through blood transfusion, organ donation, or shared needles). Malaria parasites are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes . Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites with mosquito nets and insect repellents or by mosquito control by spraying insecticides inside houses and draining standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Some people die from malaria.

Causes of Malaria

The common Causes of Malaria :

• Climatic conditions.
• Plasmodium parasites .
• Migration.
• Anopheles mosquitoes.

Symptoms of Malaria

The incubation period averages 10 to 35 days, but may be months for people who have been taking inadequate antimalarial drugs, which suppress rather than prevent the disease. After a few days of mild fever and flu-like symptoms,a typical attack develops when infected red cells rupture and release parasites into the blood. chills and shivering precede high fever, followed by drenching sweats as the fever subsides.The feve rmay last between 1 and 36 hours and the interval between attacks may be 36 to 72 hours. While fever is high, patients may have severe headache and be confused or delirious. Between attacks, most have low fever and feel weak and exhausted. Blackwater fever is a rare complication in which breakdown of red cells is massive and haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red cells) appears in the urine, making it verydark. Some Symptoms of Malaria :

• Sequential chills, fever, and sweating.
• Muscle pain.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting .
• Anemia.
• Headache.
• Jaundice.
• Diarrhea .

Treatment of Malaria

Malaria is the most important disese risk for travellers visiting the tropics, consult , your doctor or a travel medicine clinic about the best preventive medication for the countries you plan to visit. Even when you are on medication, protect yourself against bites with nets, adequate : clothing and repellents, and after dark avoid gardens, parksand other places where mosquitoes are prevalent. A vaccine against malaria has not yet been developed.

• Anti-malarial drugs can be prescribed to people traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent.
• If you are unable to take the medication as a pill.
• Whether the malaria parasite may be resistant to certain medications .
• Malarone is a relatively new anti-malarial drug in the U.S. and is a combination of atovaquone and proguanil.
• Whether the medicine is being used to prevent or to treat malaria.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Malaria

Diagnosis is confirmed by finding the parasites in red blood cells in a sample taken between attacks. Treatment is by antimalarial drugs, which kill the parasites. The drug is chosen according to the species and sensitivity of the infecting parasite. Admission to hospita lmay be necessary if the patient is very ill or there are complications such as disturbed function of the liver, kidneys or brain. Untreated malaria leads to weakness from chronic anaemia and recurent fever, with enlargement of the spleen and often the liver. People with chronic infection gradully develop some immunity so that attacks become less severe.