WORLD MALARIA DAY 2024

World Malaria day 2024,  April 25 th.

Accelerate the fight against Malaria for a more equitable world… is the theme of world malaria day 2024.

Know about Malaria, organism, vector  ,symptoms, complications, treatment and prevention.

HOW DOES IT SPREAD

Malaria is transmitted by  female Anopheles mosquito when it takes bloodmeal from  a human infected with  malaria and causative parasite is plasmodium species like falciparum, vivax, ovale, malariae. Falciparum species  are responsible for malarial deaths. Vivax and falciparum species are seen in India.

Mosquito breeds in water tanks, pits, overhead tanks,edge of streams, wells, brackish water, pools, ponds, marshy areas.

When an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a human, the parasite ( sporozoite form )enters the human blood stream from the mosquito’s salivary gland. It reaches the liver through the blood, where it undergoes  amplification process, then released into blood stream which will invade and multiply inside RBC. Symptoms appear as a result of invasion and destruction of RBC and by host  response.

Malaria endemic countries are Africa,  Asia. Certain countries have eliminated Malaria. It affects both urban and rural areas, multifactorial like inappropriate water storage and disposal, population migration from endemic to nonendemic areas and vive versa.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS 

 Both adults and children are affected. Endemic area they present with  severe anaemia and cerebral malaria.

Common symptoms are high  fever, which spikes regularly daily, 2 days or 3 days, chills ,rigor, headache , fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice. Falciparum malaria can  affect brain leading to coma or cerebral malaria ,anaemia, renal failure,lung issues or respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, bleeding from nose, gums, GIT ,seizures, hypovolemia . Classic intermittent fever is usually not seen in children.

ENT manifestations are bleeding from the nose, headache,dizziness, ringing sensation in the ear,hearing loss. 

 WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS ?

It can cause multi-organ  failure. Coma, convulsions, shock, breathing problems or respiratory distress, spontaneous bleeding.

Malaria can undergo relapse also.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE ?

Diagnosis is   history, by peripheral blood smear examination for malarial parasite. Rapid test for antibody, PCR .

TREATMENT 

Treatment by  antimalarial drugs, oral and injections, supportive measures.

Complicated or severe cases by falciparum requires requires immediate attention, hospital admission .

Oral medicine for uncomplicated malaria.

How to prevent Malaria

Use bed nets treated with insecticide especially in endemic areas, kill the vector mosquito ,  find and eliminate the breeding places  ,early or rapid diagnosis and management of the infection, chemo prevention or prophylaxis.

Avoid exposure to mosquito, use insect repellent, use fully covered clothes ,use bednets.

Chemoprophylaxis  should be taken, if travelling to endemic area, pregnant women to be warned about the risks if travelling. Consult a doctor for prophylaxis  before travelling as antimalarial drug resistance also is a problem.Those taking medicines should be advised regarding the side effects  of the medicine and  should inform the doctor if any adverse effects happen.

EARLY CASE DETECTION, PROMPT TREATMENT AND VECTOR CONTROL   PREVENTS SPREAD OF MALARIA.