Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by a microbial parasite known as Plasmodium. This parasite infects mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits this disease between humans through mosquito bites. Of the eleven species in the genus Plasmodium, five are known to cause malaria in humans. They are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi; the first strain being the most dangerous. Malaria parasites affect the red blood cells of an infected person; as a result, malaria can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or the sharing of blood-contaminated needles or syringes. Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child before or during delivery.
malaria symptoms
Malaria affects between 300 and 500 million people a year, with 90% of cases reported in Africa, South and South-East Asia, and certain parts of South America. It also causes more than a million victims each year; most of which take place in sub-Saharan Africa. Although malaria is currently curable; the disease becomes more difficult to manage in the later stages and can also lead to serious secondary complications such as high fever, coma, and hallucinations. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize the symptoms of malaria during the early stages and treat it aggressively. The most common and significant symptoms of malaria are explained below.
1. The main symptoms of relatively mild and uncomplicated malaria include recurrent fever (once every 2-3 days), headache, nausea and vomiting, chills, body aches and general weakness.
2. If the malaria is caused by an infection with the Plasmodium falciparum strain; More serious symptoms such as mild jaundice, elevated heartbeat, and enlarged spleen are usually seen.
3. Cerebral malaria occurs when red blood cells infected by the Plasmodium parasite block the path of blood to the brain. This leads to a lack of blood and oxygen supply to many parts of the brain. The main symptoms of cerebral malaria are intracranial pressure, seizures, and severe anemia.