Malaria: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Malaria is a health condition caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to humans by mosquito bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is caused by five parasitic species, two of which are P. falciparum and P. vivax – which are the most dangerous to humans.
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest and most common in the African continent. According to a report, India accounts for 3% of the worldwide malaria burden, resulting in 2 million confirmed cases per year. One may need to take medications before, during, and after the travel to lower the risk of contracting malaria.
Malaria Symptoms
Symptoms generally show 10 to 4 weeks after the infection. Symptoms may not appear for several months in some circumstances. It can cause the following symptoms:
Malaria is Caused By
When a malaria-affected person is bitten by a mosquito, the insect becomes infected. When a mosquito bites another person, it transmits a parasite into their blood circulation, where the parasites proliferate. Five different kinds of malaria parasites can infect humans.
Malaria-infected pregnant women can pass the sickness on to their unborn offspring in rare circumstances. It can be transmitted by blood transfusions, organ donations, and hypodermic needles, but this is unlikely.
Complications
Malaria may be lethal, mainly when it is caused by plasmodium species that are common in Africa. Malaria deaths are frequently linked to one or more significant complications, such as:
- Cerebral malaria: Cerebral malaria occurs when parasite-filled blood cells block tiny blood arteries in the brain, resulting in brain swelling or damage. Seizures and coma are possible side effects of cerebral malaria.
- Breathing problems: Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) can make it difficult to breathe.
- Organ failure: Malaria can induce organ failure by causing damage to the kidneys, liver, and spleen, as well as causing the spleen to burst. Any of these disorders can put their life in jeopardy.
- Anaemia: Malaria can cause anaemia, which means people don't have enough red blood cells to get enough oxygen to the body's tissues (anaemia).
- Low blood sugar: Severe types of malaria, as well as quinine, a major malaria treatment, can produce low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar levels might lead to unconsciousness or death.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria may be prevented in many cases. The ABCD method of prevention is a simple way to remember -
- Awareness of Risk: Before travelling, find out if you're at risk of contracting malaria.
- Bite Prevention: Use insect repellent, cover your arms and legs, and use an insecticide-treated mosquito net to avoid mosquito bites.
- Check if malaria prevention medications are required: If so, Make sure you have the proper antimalarial tablets at the correct dose and finish the course.
Diagnosis of Malaria
The doctor will most likely evaluate the patient's medical history and recent travel, do a physical exam, and prescribe blood tests to detect malaria.
Blood testing can reveal the following:
- The presence of the parasite in the blood can be used to determine whether or not you have malaria.
- If a drug-resistant parasite causes the infection.
- Whether the condition is creating any significant side effects
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may request further diagnostic tests to examine potential problems.
Malaria Treatment and Medication
The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on things like
- The type of parasite you have and the severity of your symptoms will all affect the treatment the doctor advises.
- Where did patients get infected
- The age and whether or not one is expecting a child.
Doctors use a variety of medications to treat malaria including:
Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine:
If the symptoms aren't significant and you live in an area where the parasite hasn't developed resistance to chloroquine, the doctor may offer one of these medications.
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT):
This is a combination of two drugs that function in separate ways. It can be used to treat milder instances of malaria or as part of a more comprehensive treatment strategy for more serious cases.
Atovaquone-proguanil, artemether-lumefantrine:
These combinations offer another possibility in areas where the parasite has developed resistance to chloroquine. They can also be given to kids.
Mefloquine:
If chloroquine isn't possible, this medicine has been associated with uncommon but substantial adverse effects on the brain and should only be taken as a last resort.
Artesunate:
If the symptoms are severe, the doctor may consider using this medicine for the first 24 hours and then switching to artemisinin-based combination therapy for the next three days.
Malaria Life Cycle
Transmission:
Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito injects sporozoites, a form of the malaria parasite, into the bloodstream during a blood meal.
Liver Stage (Exoerythrocytic Stage):
Once in the bloodstream, the sporozoites travel to the liver, where they infect hepatocytes (liver cells). Inside the hepatocytes, the sporozoites mature into schizonts, which then multiply asexually, producing thousands of merozoites.
Blood Stage (Erythrocytic Stage):
Merozoites are released from the liver cells and enter the bloodstream, where they infect red blood cells (erythrocytes). Inside the red blood cells, the merozoites multiply and develop into trophozoites, which then mature into schizonts. The schizonts rupture the red blood cells, releasing more merozoites into the bloodstream.
Clinical Symptoms:
The release of merozoites and the destruction of red blood cells lead to the characteristic symptoms of malaria, including fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Transmission to Mosquitoes:
Some of the merozoites develop into male and female gametocytes, which are ingested by mosquitoes during a blood meal. In the mosquito's gut, the gametocytes undergo sexual reproduction, forming zygotes.
Sporogonic Cycle:
The zygotes develop into ookinetes, which penetrate the wall of the mosquito's gut and form oocysts. Inside the oocysts, sporozoites develop and eventually rupture the oocyst, releasing sporozoites into the mosquito's body. The sporozoites migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands, ready to be transmitted to another human host during a subsequent blood meal.
