We all know mosquitoes as a bit of a nuisance, don't we? When we get a small bite, we don't pay much attention to it. But did you know that some mosquito bites can cause a serious illness that can affect your life? Malaria is one such dangerous disease. This is a disease that can even lead to death if not treated properly. So today, let's find answers to all the questions we have about malaria and how to stay safe from it.
Simply put, what is malaria?
Malaria is a disease that is transmitted from one mosquito to another. However, not all mosquitoes can transmit this disease. It is transmitted by a female Anopheles mosquito. This mosquito lives inside a very small parasite. To be precise, the name of this parasite is Plasmodium.
Think of this mosquito as a delivery person. It delivers a dangerous 'package' (that parasite) to your body. When the mosquito bites you, these parasites enter your bloodstream along with its saliva.
Then these parasites go straight to your liver. There, they multiply silently, without showing any symptoms, which means they make a lot of babies. After a few weeks, thousands of these new parasites enter your blood again and start attacking your red blood cells. That's when you start to show symptoms of malaria.
This disease can be particularly severe in children under the age of 5. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
The symptoms of malaria initially appear like a common cold. So sometimes you may not think it's malaria. But these symptoms can gradually become more severe.
These symptoms can appear within a few days to a month after being bitten by a mosquito. Some people may not show any symptoms for up to a year.
Let's take a clear look at the main symptoms.
| Symptom | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Fever and chills | Suddenly, you feel very cold and start shivering. Then you get a high fever, sweat, and then the fever subsides. This can repeat itself in a cycle. |
| Headache and muscle pain | It's normal to have an unbearable headache and muscle aches. |
| Fatigue | Feeling so tired that you can't do anything. |
| Nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset | Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also be seen. |
| Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice) | As red blood cells are destroyed, the skin and whites of the eyes may turn yellow. |
| Dark urine | The urine may become dark, sometimes bloody. |
| Difficulty breathing and seizures | When the disease becomes severe, serious symptoms like these may appear. |
How is this disease transmitted?
As I said before, this disease is mainly transmitted through the bite of a mosquito carrying the malaria parasite.
But very rarely, it can be transmitted in other ways.
- From pregnant mother to child: A child born to a mother with malaria can also be infected with the disease.
- Blood transfusions: Giving blood from an infected person to a healthy person.
- Organ transplantation: By transplanting an organ from an infected person.
- Use of contaminated injection needles: By sharing the same injection needle among drug users.
The most important thing is that malaria is not a disease that can be spread through casual contact, sneezing, sharing food, or hugging.
Who is most at risk?
Although anyone can get malaria, some people are at higher risk of developing severe complications from the disease.
- Young children under 5 years old: Because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, it is difficult for them to fight this parasite.
- Pregnant mothers: During pregnancy, immunity naturally decreases slightly. This can make malaria more severe, and can lead to problems such as premature birth and low birth weight babies.
- People with weakened immune systems: People with weakened immune systems, such as those with diseases like HIV/AIDS and those undergoing treatment for cancer, are at higher risk.
- Travelers from areas where malaria is not common: A person who lives in a country where malaria is common develops some immunity over time. However, if we travel from a malaria-free country like ours to such a country, the disease can be severe because this parasite is foreign to our bodies.
Which countries have the highest incidence of malaria?
Malaria is most common in tropical countries with hot and humid climates.
- African countries (most)
- Central and South America
- Caribbean islands (such as Haiti, Dominican Republic)
- Some countries in South and Southeast Asia
- Islands of the Pacific Ocean
Fortunately, Sri Lanka is a country that has successfully eradicated malaria. Therefore, there is no risk of contracting malaria within our country now. However, if you are traveling to the countries mentioned above, you should definitely take steps to protect yourself from malaria.
How does a doctor diagnose this disease?
If you have been to a country where malaria is common and are showing symptoms like fever, the doctor will first suspect that you may have malaria.
The best way to confirm this is to do a blood test .
1. Blood Smear: A small drop of blood from your finger is placed on a glass slide and examined under a microscope. This will clearly show whether the Plasmodium parasites are present in the blood. It will also identify the type of parasite (P. falciparum, P. vivax, etc.)
2. Rapid Diagnostic Tests: These can provide results quickly. However, microscopic examination is often done to confirm the disease.
If you have recently traveled abroad, be sure to tell your doctor. That information can be very helpful in making an accurate diagnosis.
What are the treatments for malaria?
The good news is that malaria is a completely curable disease, but it needs to be treated early and properly.
Treatment is with medications that kill the malaria parasite. We call these antimalarial medications.
The type of medication you are given will depend on several factors.
- The type of Plasmodium parasite you are infected with.
- The severity of your symptoms.
- your age.
- Whether you are pregnant or not.
- Where you contracted the disease (malaria parasites found in some countries are resistant to some medications).
Some of the commonly prescribed medications are:
- `Artemether-lumefantrine`
- `Atovaquone-proguanil`
- ``Chloroquine'' or ``Hydroxychloroquine''
- ` Doxycycline ( Doxycycline ( Doxycycline) ) `
- `Quinine`
- `Primaquine`
This medication is given as a pill or, in severe cases, as an intravenous (IV) injection.
Very important: You must take the medicine prescribed by your doctor for the full duration of the prescribed course. Do not stop taking the medicine just because you feel better. Doing so may cause the disease to recur due to the parasites remaining in your body.
How to protect yourself from malaria? (Prevention)
If you're traveling to a country where malaria is common, it's best to "prevent the disease from developing rather than treat it." There are several things you can do to prevent it.
| Prevention method | Description |
|---|---|
| Preventive medications | See a doctor before you travel. Your doctor will prescribe antimalarial medication that is appropriate for the area you are traveling to. You will need to take this medication before, during, and after your trip. |
| Protection from mosquitoes | - Apply a bug spray containing DEET. - Wear long, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. - Use a mosquito net when sleeping at night. - Minimize spending time outdoors during peak mosquito times (evening and early morning). |
| Vaccination | A vaccine for malaria is now available, but it is currently only recommended for young children living in countries where malaria is common. It is not currently recommended for travelers. |
Take-Home Message
- Malaria is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be fatal if left untreated.
- Although there is currently no risk of contracting malaria in Sri Lanka, the risk is high if you travel to African, South American, and some Asian countries.
- The initial symptoms may be similar to a common flu. High fever, chills, and headache are the main symptoms.
- If you develop any of these symptoms after traveling to a malaria-prone country, seek medical advice immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor about the country you traveled to.
- Malaria can be completely cured if diagnosed early and treated properly.
- When traveling to a country where malaria is common, it is very important to protect yourself from mosquitoes and take preventive medications as advised by a doctor.
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