MALARIA

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually feel very sick, with a high fever and shaking chills.Only female mosquitoes spread the malaria parasites. When a mosquito bites a person who has malaria, it drinks the person’s blood, which contains the parasites. When the mosquito bites another person, it injects the parasites into that person. That’s how the disease spreads.

 

TRANSMISSION?

Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through:

• an organ transplant
• a transfusion
• use of shared needles or syringes

DIAGNOSIS?

Your doctor will be able to diagnose malaria. During your appointment, your doctor will review your health history, including any recent travel to tropical climates. A physical exam will also be performed.

Your doctor will be able to determine if you have an enlarged spleen or liver. If you have symptoms of malaria, your doctor may order additional blood tests to confirm your diagnosis.

These tests will show:

• whether you have malaria
• what type of malaria you have
• if your infection is caused by a parasite that’s resistant to certain types of drugs
• if the disease has caused anemia
• if the disease has affected your vital organs

SYMPTOMS:

    Pain areas: in the abdomen or muscles

    Whole body: chills, fatigue, fever, night sweats, shivering, or sweating

    Gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting

    Also common: fast heart rate, headache, mental confusion, or pallor

PREVENTION:

    Take the right type of anti-malarial medicines for the country you are travelling to. The choice of anti-malarial prevention tablets will also need to take into account your medical history, age and other concurrent medications. You must take them daily or weekly, depending on the medication choice, prior to travel and upon return from the malaria area.

    Protect yourself from mosquito bites by sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.​​

    Wear socks, long pants, long-sleeve shirts and blouses.

    Spray DEET mosquito repellent onto your clothes and the exposed parts of your skin.

  Make sure the room doors and windows are closed properly and screened with gauze to prevent mosquitoes from getting in.

    Spray the room with an insecticide before entering.

           Pregnant women and young children should avoid travelling to malaria-prone areas.