Are You Aware Of These Symptoms Of Malaria?

Malaria refers to the disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The primary agent of transmission of this disease is the ‘Anopheles’ mosquito. This particular breed of mosquito carries the species causing organism, a parasitic protozoan, known as ‘Plasmodium species’.

The parasite, upon entering the bloodstream, attaches itself to the liver. It is at this location that the parasite matures and after a few days begins to infect the red blood cells that are secreted by the liver. The red blood cells that are infected tend to explode in about forty eight to seventy two hours due to the rapid multiplication of parasites inside them. The subtropical regions and regions that exist in a broad band around the equator are known to be the hotspots of species.

Symptoms

Upon being infected, the symptoms and signs show up within 10 days to 4 weeks. Some of the general symptoms include:

1. Nausea

2. High fever

3. Headache

4. Extreme sweating

5. Moderate to severe chills

6. Vomiting

7. Anaemia

8. Diarrhoea

9. Pain in muscles

10. Blood in stools

In some cases, malaria can lead to further severe complications, such as:

1. Kidney, spleen or liver failure

2. Cerebral malaria (swollen blood vessels in the brain)

3. Low blood sugar

4. Pulmonary oedema (fluid accumulation in the lungs which causes breathing difficulties)

The medications administered for malaria depend on factors such as:

1. Severity of the infection

2. Physical conditions such as allergies, pregnancy and other health problems,

3. Age

Some of the most common medicines used to address malaria include:

1. Chloroquine

2. Malarone

3. Doxycycline

4. Quinine sulphate

5. Mefloquine

6. Hydroxychloroquine

7. A mix of Proguanil and Atovaquone

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