Malaria Disease (Malaria)
On this page, you will find everything you are looking for regarding malaria.
What is Malaria?
It is a disease caused by parasites from the Plasmodium family. A person can get malaria if bitten by a mosquito carrying the parasites or through a transfusion of infected blood. These parasites attack red blood cells, the liver, and other organs in the body, causing various symptoms. Treatment is urgent to avoid complications.
What are the Symptoms of Malaria?
- Upon contracting malaria, the patient usually begins to feel unwell approximately nine to fourteen days after the infection. In some cases, symptoms may not appear for several months and can include:
- Fever that may come and go or be consistent.
- Excessive sweating.
- Headache and joint pain.
- Nausea or stomach pain.
Diarrhea or vomiting.
What are the Causes of Malaria?
- Malaria is prevalent in parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East. Therefore, when traveling to areas where malaria is present, it is necessary to take precautions to prevent infection. Causes include:
- Being bitten by a mosquito infected with malaria.
Receiving a blood transfusion that carries the infection.
What are the Methods of Diagnosis?:
- The doctor will take a medical history and perform a clinical examination. Additional procedures might be requested as needed, such as:
Blood test: The attending physician will determine the necessary tests to find out whether a person has malaria.
What are the Methods of Treating Malaria?
- Treatment involves several procedures,or as thesituation requires, including:
Malaria is an emergency that requires quick treatment to avoid complications; it is treated with antimalarial drugs, and some patients may need to stay in the hospital to receive the necessary care.
What are the Ways to Prevent Malaria?
- There are two main methods to reduce the chances of contracting malaria:
- Taking antimalarial medication correctly and as prescribed by your doctor before, during, and after travel.
Avoiding mosquito bites through appropriate preventive measures (using mosquito nets while sleeping and approved body sprays for protection against mosquito bites).
What are the Complications of Malaria?
If untreated, malaria can cause cerebral infection (cerebral malaria), anemia, kidney failure, seizures, coma, and, unfortunately, death.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
If you show symptoms of malaria while traveling or afterward, you should see a doctor immediately. If your doctor diagnoses you with malaria, it is essential to treat it as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been in contact with someone infected with malaria. Can I become infected?
No, malaria does not spread through contact or air. It spreads through mosquitoes carrying malaria or through a transfusion of malaria-infected blood.
I found out that the area I will travel to has malaria. Can I prevent infection?
Yes, with God’s will, malaria can be prevented by following guidelines and using preventive treatments correctly.
I have had malaria, received treatment, and am now free of it. Am I protected from getting it again?
