Author:
Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation:
10 August 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Malaria is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a parasite. Malaria parasites are transmitted by the bite of female mosquitoes. Mosquitoes develop the parasite after biting a person with malaria, then pass it on to the next person. Malaria is detected in more than 100 countries around the world, and 3.4 billion people are at high risk of it. Around 300 million people are infected worldwide a year, and out of that, one in 3 million people die. Children are most affected by weak resistance, and malaria is the leading cause of death among children under five years of age. The best way to treat malaria is to recognize the signs and seek help.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Recognize malaria
Watch for the symptoms of malaria. Malaria has several common symptoms. You may experience some or all of the following when you are infected. Symptoms include:- High fever between 38.3 and 40 ° C
- Chills
- Headache
- Sweat
- Disorientation of identity and location
- Confused
- Joint pain / muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice caused by destroyed blood cells
Recognize areas where malaria is frequent. Several regions of the world are densely concentrated in malaria cases, known as the local malaria population. These countries include almost all of Africa except north and south, north and central South America, India and surrounding areas, and many Pacific Island countries. Malaria is also present but is uncommon in most Asian countries, central South America, western Mexico, and most of Central America.- Although malaria is common in these countries, it rarely occurs in areas above sea level and deserts, except for oases, as well as in cold climates.
- In hot equatorial areas all year round, malaria is frequent and you can be infected throughout the year.
Wait for the symptoms to appear. The incubation period, or before symptoms appear, is usually 7 to 30 days after a mosquito bite. Some malaria parasites can "hibernate" and cause no symptoms for up to four years after you are bitten by a mosquito. The parasite is located in the liver but eventually wakes up and enters red blood cells.
Diagnosis of malaria. You can be tested for malaria at any location. Doctors all over the world understand and can recognize the symptoms of the disease. To make a diagnosis, a doctor will take a drop of blood and examine it under a microscope to check for the parasite's presence in red blood cells. This is the most reliable way to diagnose the disease, as you can see the parasites alive in the blood cells.
- This is complicated when people who have previously had tropical diseases are immune to malaria.
- Vietnam is a country with a tropical climate, so doctors are trained in tropical medicine.
Watch out for cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria manifests itself in the late stage. Malaria parasites have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This is one of the most serious problems associated with malaria. If you have cerebral malaria, you may experience coma, stroke, loss of consciousness, abnormal behavior, and changes in sensory perception.
- Get medical attention immediately if you suspect you have cerebral malaria.
Method 2 of 2: Prevention and treatment of malaria
Increase vigilance. There are several measures you can take to prevent malaria, especially in countries where malaria is frequent. When you are exposed or sleeping outdoors, you should wear a mosquito net. This prevents mosquitoes from attacking you. In addition, you should also clean or avoid puddles as this is an ideal mosquito breeding place. You should also use mosquito repellent if you are planning to stay outside without a protective net.
Take preventive medicine. If you plan to visit a malaria-prone country, you need to see your doctor at least four to six weeks before you go. Your doctor will prescribe drugs to prevent malaria, which will help reduce the risk of disease.
- Medication should be taken before, during, and after travel.
Treatment of malaria. The most important thing in malaria treatment is early detection. You should see your doctor for a diagnosis within 24 to 72 hours after you suspect the infection or symptoms appear. You can take a variety of medications for a minimum of 7 days. However, the duration of the drug depends on the severity of the disease and the rest of the body affected. All anti-malarial drugs are safe for children. Some of the medications your doctor may prescribe include:
- Mefloquine
- Atovaquone-proquinal
- Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
- Quinine
- Clindamycin
- Doxycycline
- Chloroquine
- Primaquine
- Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, although the effectiveness of this drug has not been determined
Seek immediate medical attention. Doctors in Vietnam have a lot of awareness about malaria, so you should know when to see a doctor. If you have just returned to the country and have a fever for any reason, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Inform your doctor of the tourist destination and that you suspect you have malaria so they can get treatment promptly.
- If diagnosed late, it can be fatal. 60% of diagnoses are made too late by mistaking malaria for another disease. To prevent this, you need to provide information about where you moved in the past year or two.
- If you have malaria, you'll need to be hospitalized so your doctor can prescribe the right antibiotics.
Advice
- A mother can pass malaria by birth during pregnancy, but the disease cannot be transmitted through breast milk.
- You should get enough rest and get enough sleep to improve your body's natural immune function. Lack of sleep can impair immune function and prolong recovery time.
- Malaria is not contagious by physical contact, so you don't need to worry about it through physical contact.
- There is currently a licensed vaccine for use in pediatric patients in malaria regions of Africa. This vaccine is seen as a breakthrough with the help of organizations like UNICEF in reducing the number of people dying from malaria in Africa. The vaccine may also be used in adults after further testing.
