Malaria

Malaria

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites called protozoans belonging to the Plasmodium family.

While there are 5 different types of Plasmodium that cause malaria, these are:-

P. falciparum (causes severe malaria).

P. vivax

P. ovale

P. Malare

P. knowlesi (this is not common in our country, Ethiopia).

Sometimes, however, mixed species of Plasmodium (ie > 1 species) can be found together in the same disease.

it is transmitted mainly due to the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, it is transmitted from the infected person to the healthy person; the Previous contact with contaminated blood, for example during donation, etc.

From mother to fetus during pregnancy

 What are the symptoms of malaria? 

The symptoms of malaria are divided into two (2) categories according to the severity of the disease and the symptoms will be seen accordingly; Namely:

1. Uncomplicated malaria

symptoms of uncomplicated malaria

 Fever, Chills/rigor, shivering, Headache, Muscle/joint pain, loss of appetite, and the feeling of nausea also includes others

2. Severe malaria 

When a patient reaches this stage, the symptoms that we have seen above for uncomplicated (simple) malaria will be aggravated and increased. In relation to the conditions below, other types of symptoms will appear depending on the situation.

Severe anemia (Hgb <5g/dl)

Severe hypoglycemia (RBS<40mg/dl) - fatigue, paresthesias

Pulmonary edema - difficulty breathing, shortness of breath,

Head Malaria (Coma, Seizure, Dizziness...)

Irregular sudden bleeding (DIC)- Blood

Jaundice

Malmosmos/prostration: General weakness that prevents the patient from walking or sitting without the support of another person.

Kidney Disease/Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)- can lead to other complications such as a change in urine color (bright red), and a decrease in volume; The patient may show different symptoms depending on the part of the body affected and the condition.

As we said above, there are different types of Plasmodium that cause malaria and it can be detected through a blood test it helps to know the right treatment depending on the type; Because the medicine given varies according to the type of malaria.

Also, while many types of blood and other samples are tested, these are used to identify whether the patient has complex malaria problems and/or other health problems similar to malaria (differential diagnosis).

How is malaria treated?

Your doctor will give you special medicines to get rid of the parasites that cause malaria. While there are different drug options available, some people may need to take more than 1 drug.

 Most people (patients with uncomplicated malaria) they can take oral tablets, but for severe cases of malaria, they need to be hospitalized.

There is a possibility that a blood test may be needed every day for a few days after starting the treatment, that is, to make sure that the medicine is working; Or it helps to confirm the presence of other related diseases.

 If we can say this more about malaria treatment, the amount and type of medicine to be taken, and other things, for example, if it happens in special situations like pregnancy, how the patient is treated, what is given?

Malaria in pregnancy 

What are the complications if malaria occurs during pregnancy? 

In fact, the complications of malaria during pregnancy vary according to the degree of transmission and the level of partial immunity associated with a previous pregnancy. Pregnant women are more susceptible to malaria than other people and can become very ill.

Malaria during pregnancy can cause the following problems:

Spontaneous abortion (<28 weeks)

Stillbirth

Premature delivery

low birth weight

Intrauterine Abortion (IUGR)

Maternal and infant mortality

Maternal anemia

malaria prevention

By preventing mosquito bites, you can reduce your risk of malaria by:-

Stay indoors at night - this means any time after sunset and before sunrise.

Wear shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when going outside.

Apply a cream containing a chemical called anti-malarial

Sleep in a mosquito-proof room with windows and doors tightly closed.

Sleep under a bed net soaked in malaria chemicals.

Also, in the most vulnerable areas, it is also important to destroy the breeding places of malaria mosquitoes and carry out chemical spraying.

If you are traveling to an area where malaria is common, taking medicine in advance will help prevent the disease. Follow exactly what your doctor tells you about how what, and when to take it. However, even when you are taking medicine to prevent it, you can get malaria, and if you get sick after traveling or returning, it is not the medicine you take to prevent it, so you need to see a specialist again.