‍Malaria – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a tiny parasite called Plasmodium. This parasite gets into your body through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. When the mosquito bites you, it passes the parasite into your blood.

Once the parasite is in your body, it travels to your liver, where it grows and multiplies. After a while, the parasites leave the liver and enter your bloodstream, where they start to infect your red blood cells. This is when you start to feel sick with symptoms like fever, chills, and headaches.

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Causes and Transmission

As stated earlier, Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. There are different types of Plasmodium parasites that can cause malaria in humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

Malaria spreads when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites you. This mosquito gets the parasite by biting someone who already has malaria. Then, when it bites you, it passes the parasite into your blood.

Malaria is not spread directly from person to person. It needs a mosquito to carry the parasite from one person to another. Knowing this helps us understand how important it is to protect ourselves from mosquito bites to prevent malaria.

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Life Cycle of the Malaria Parasite

The life cycle of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, has several stages. 

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1. Mosquito Stage:

The cycle starts when a female Anopheles mosquito bites someone with malaria and sucks up blood that contains the Plasmodium parasites.

The parasites grow and multiply inside the mosquito.

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2. Human Infection Stage:

When the infected mosquito bites another person, it injects the parasites into their bloodstream. The parasites travel to the liver and grow there for about 1-2 weeks without causing any symptoms.

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3. Liver Stage:

In the liver, the parasites multiply and then move back into the bloodstream.

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4. Blood Stage:

Once in the bloodstream, the parasites enter red blood cells and start to multiply again.

This is when symptoms like fever, chills, and headache appear because the red blood cells burst, releasing more parasites into the blood.

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5. Mosquito Re-Infection Stage:

If another mosquito bites the infected person, it picks up the parasites and the cycle starts again.

Symptoms of Malaria

Malaria has several symptoms that can range from mild to severe. 

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1. Common Symptoms:

• Fever: You may have a high temperature that comes and goes.
• Chills: You might feel very cold and start shivering.
• Headache: A strong headache is a common sign.
• Sweats: After chills, you may start sweating a lot.
• Muscle Pain: Your muscles may ache and feel weak.
• Nausea and Vomiting: You might feel sick to your stomach and even throw up.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired and weak is also common.

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2. Severe Symptoms:

• Cerebral Malaria: This affects the brain and can cause confusion, seizures, or coma.
• Anemia: Severe malaria can destroy a lot of red blood cells, leading to anemia (a lack of red blood cells).
• Respiratory Distress: Trouble breathing or feeling very short of breath.
• Organ Failure: In extreme cases, malaria can cause organs like the kidneys or liver to stop working properly.

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3. Symptoms in Children:

Children often show the same symptoms but can get very sick very quickly.

They might also have convulsions (seizures) or become unconscious.

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Types of Malaria Parasites. 

Malaria is caused by different types of Plasmodium parasites. Knowing which type you have can help doctors decide the best treatment.

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1. Plasmodium Falciparum:

This is the most dangerous type of malaria. It can cause severe symptoms and complications quickly. Most deaths from malaria are due to P. falciparum.

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2. Plasmodium Vivax:

This type is less deadly but still serious. It can cause recurring infections because the parasite can hide in the liver and reactivate later. It is common in Asia and Latin America.

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3. Plasmodium Malariae:

This type causes milder symptoms but can last a long time if not treated. It is found worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions.

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4. Plasmodium Ovale:

Similar to P. vivax, it can hide in the liver and cause relapses. It is less common and mainly found in West Africa.

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5. Plasmodium Knowlesi:

This is a type found in Southeast Asia and usually infects monkeys but can also infect humans.

It can cause symptoms similar to P. falciparum and needs prompt treatment.

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6. Uncomplicated Malaria:

Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. It can usually be treated with oral medications.

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7. Severe Malaria:

Causes more serious symptoms like severe anemia, respiratory distress, or cerebral malaria.

Requires immediate medical attention and often needs hospital treatment with intravenous (IV) drugs.

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8. Chronic Malaria

Some types, especially P. vivax and P. ovale, can cause recurring infections. Even if initial symptoms go away, the parasites can stay in the liver and cause symptoms to return months or even years later.

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Malaria in Pregnancy

Malaria during pregnancy is very dangerous for both the mother and the baby. It's important to know the risks and how to prevent and treat malaria if you're expecting.

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Risks and Effects of Malaria During Pregnancy

1. For the Mother:

Severe anemia, which can make the mother very weak. Higher risk of severe malaria, which can be life-threatening. Increased chance of complications like cerebral malaria.

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2. For the Baby:

Low birth weight, which can lead to health problems for the baby. Premature birth, where the baby is born too early. Stillbirth or miscarriage, where the baby dies before birth.

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Prevention and Treatment for Pregnant Women

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• Use Mosquito Nets: Sleeping under an insecticide-treated net can protect you from mosquito bites.
• Insect Repellents: Use repellents on exposed skin to keep mosquitoes away.
• Indoor Spraying: Spraying insecticides inside the home can reduce the number of mosquitoes.

• Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp): Pregnant women in malaria-prone areas should take special malaria prevention medicines even if they don’t have symptoms.

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Diagnosis and Testing

Knowing if you have malaria early is very important for getting the right treatment quickly. 

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How to Use a Malaria Test Kit at Home

Home malaria test kits are easy to use and can give results in about 15 minutes.

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Steps to Use the Kit:

• Prepare the Kit: Open the test kit and read the instructions carefully.
• Collect a Blood Sample: Use the small needle (lancet) provided to prick your finger and collect a drop of blood.
• Apply the Blood: Put the drop of blood on the test strip or cassette as instructed.
• Add Reagent: Add the reagent (a special liquid) that comes with the kit to the test strip.
• Wait for Results: Wait for the time specified in the instructions, usually around 15 minutes.
• Read the Results: Check the test strip for the result. One line usually means negative, and two lines mean positive.

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Treatment of Malaria

Treating malaria involves using medicines to kill the parasites in your body. Here's what you need to know about malaria treatment:

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Common Treatments

1. Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (ACTs): These are the most effective medicines for treating malaria. They combine artemisinin, which kills the parasites quickly, with other drugs to clear the remaining parasites from your body.

Examples: Coartem, Synriam, and Artesunate-Amodiaquine.

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2. Other Antimalarial Medications

Malarone: This is a combination of two medicines (atovaquone and proguanil) and is used to prevent and treat malaria.

Proguanil: Sometimes used in combination with other drugs for treating malaria.

Atovaquone: Often used in combination with proguanil or other drugs for malaria treatment.

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Treatment for Severe Malaria

Hospitalization: Severe malaria needs to be treated in a hospital.

Intravenous (IV) Medications: Medicines are given through a vein to quickly kill the parasites.

Monitoring: Close monitoring of vital signs and blood tests to check for complications.

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Duration of Treatment

Course of Treatment: Most malaria medicines are taken for several days to ensure all the parasites are killed.

Follow Instructions: It’s important to take the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor, even if you start feeling better.

Preventing Recurrence

Follow-Up Testing: After treatment, your doctor may recommend follow-up tests to make sure the parasites are gone.

Preventive Measures: Taking steps to prevent mosquito bites can help prevent getting malaria again.

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Side Effects

• Possible Side Effects: Some malaria medicines can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
• Consult a Doctor: If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor. They may adjust your treatment or recommend ways to manage the side effects.

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Prevention and Control

Mosquito Bite Prevention

• Use Mosquito Nets: Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, especially at night when mosquitoes are active.
• Wear Protective Clothing: Cover your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially during outdoor activities in mosquito-prone areas.
• Apply Insect Repellent: Use insect repellents on exposed skin to keep mosquitoes away.

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Indoor and Outdoor Measures

• Indoor Spraying: Use insecticides indoors to kill mosquitoes that may be hiding in your home.
• Eliminate Breeding Sites: Remove standing water around your home where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as in buckets, flower pots, and puddles.

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Malaria Prophylaxis

• Medication for Travelers: If traveling to areas where malaria is common, take preventive medicines as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
• Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT): In some areas, people at high risk of malaria, such as pregnant women and young children, may be given preventive medicines regularly.

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Conclusion

Malaria is a serious disease that affects millions of people worldwide, especially in regions with warm climates where mosquitoes thrive. Despite significant progress in malaria control efforts, the disease remains a major public health challenge, particularly in countries like Nigeria.

Malaria is still a serious health problem, especially in Nigeria. In 2021 alone, there were about 68 million cases and 194,000 deaths from malaria in Nigeria. This means Nigeria has the most malaria cases in the world, with about 27% of all cases worldwide.

Unfortunately, children under 5 years old make up about 78% of all malaria deaths in the region. Many people, including myself, have suffered from malaria multiple times. I remember going to the hospital as a child and the long wait times to see a doctor, which made the experience even worse.

Today, it's easier and safer to test for malaria at home using a malaria test kit. This can help in emergencies and protect you and your family. Get a malaria test kit and consult a pharmacist for free on Pharmarun. Click here to buy a malaria test kit and here to schedule a free call with a pharmacist. Click here to read our article on Cerebral Malaria.