Imagine that you are traveling somewhere long distance, perhaps to a forested area. After a few days, you suddenly feel very ill, have a high fever, shiver, and aches... You may think, "Oh, this is probably just a common cold," but it could be something more serious. Yes, today we are talking about malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
What exactly is malaria?
Simply put, malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. This parasite enters our bodies when an infected mosquito bites us. This can be very dangerous at times. Although malaria has now been largely eliminated from Sri Lanka, it is still important to remain at risk. This disease is more likely to develop in people traveling to remote areas, especially in Africa and South Asia, where the risk of malaria is high. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
What causes malaria?
Malaria is caused by a parasite belonging to the genus
Plasmodium . This parasite is transmitted to us by the female
Anopheles mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites you, these parasites enter your bloodstream through the mosquito's saliva. There are several types of Plasmodium that can cause malaria in humans. Let's take a look at them.
| Parasite Species | Important points |
|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | This is the most dangerous type . The malaria caused by this can become severe quickly. It can affect the brain and cause fatal conditions such as cerebral malaria. |
| Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) | This type can remain chronically in your liver and recur months, even years, after the disease has cleared. |
| Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) | This is similar to P. vivax. It can also cause the disease to recur in the liver. |
| Plasmodium malariae (P. malariae) | If the malaria caused by this is not treated, it can become a chronic, lifelong infection. |
| Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi) | Although this is a type that usually affects monkeys, it has now been discovered that it can also be transmitted to humans. It can spread through the body in as little as 24 hours, so it can become severe quickly. |
How is malaria transmitted?
Malaria is most often transmitted, as we discussed earlier, through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
The most important thing is that malaria is not a disease that can be spread from person to person through touch or sneezing , like a cold or the flu. You cannot spread this disease by talking to or being with someone who has malaria.
However, very rarely, it can be transmitted in other ways.
- Blood transfusion from an infected person.
- Organ transplant from an infected person.
- By sharing infected needles and syringes.
- If a pregnant mother has malaria, the baby can be infected before or during delivery.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
Symptoms usually appear about 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. But sometimes it can take longer. These symptoms are very similar to those of a common cold, so they can be easily confused. The main symptoms are:
However, if the disease becomes severe, these dangerous symptoms may also appear. If you see these, it is better not to delay. Seek Medical Help Immediately!
| Dangerous Symptoms | What to Do |
- Confusion
- Convulsions/Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Jaundice)
- Dark urine or blood in the urine
- Abnormal bleeding
| If you have any of these symptoms, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This can be a life-or-death situation. |
How does a doctor diagnose malaria?
When you go to see a doctor, he will ask about your symptoms, your recent travel history, and then order a few tests to confirm whether you have malaria.- Blood smear: This is the most important and accurate test. A drop of blood from your finger is taken, stained in a special way in a laboratory, and then examined under a microscope. This can then determine exactly whether there are parasites in the blood, and if so, what type.
- Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT): This is similar to the antigen test for COVID-19. Results can be obtained in a few minutes. However, a blood smear is required for confirmation.
- PCR test: This tests for the presence of malaria parasite DNA in the blood. This can confirm the exact type of infection.
Treatment and protection against malaria
How is it treated?
If you are diagnosed with malaria, your doctor will start you on the right treatment. The type of medication you are given will depend on several factors, including the type of parasite you have, the severity of the disease, and your age. The most important thing is to take the medicine your doctor prescribes, in the correct dosage, for the correct duration, and do not stop taking it halfway.
How to protect yourself?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So there are a few things we can do to protect ourselves from malaria.- Use of mosquito nets: It is much safer to use a medicated mosquito net when sleeping, especially if you are in an area where malaria is a risk.
- Cover-up clothing: If you are going out in the evening and at night, wear long pants and long-sleeved clothing.
- Insect repellents: Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Products containing DEET or Picaridin are most effective.
- For travelers: If you are traveling to a country where malaria is a risk, consult your doctor before you go. You may be prescribed special medication to take before, during, and after your trip.
Take-Home Message
- Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
- High fever, chills, and excessive sweating are the main symptoms.
- If you have traveled to a malaria-risk area and develop symptoms like these, see a doctor immediately without delay.
- If you have severe symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or difficulty breathing, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- The best way to protect yourself from malaria is to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Use mosquito nets, clothing that covers the body, and mosquito repellent.
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