Overview

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Each year nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die of the disease globally.

To reduce malaria infections, world health programs distribute preventive drugs and insecticide-treated bed nets to protect people from mosquito bites. The World Health Organization has recommended a malaria vaccine for use in children who live in countries with high numbers of malaria cases.

Protective clothing, bed nets and insecticides can protect you while traveling.

Many malaria parasites have developed resistance to common drugs used to treat the disease.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of malaria may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• General feeling of discomfort
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Cough

Some people who have malaria experience cycles of malaria “attacks.” An attack usually starts with shivering and chills, followed by a high fever, followed by sweating and a return to normal temperature.

Malaria signs and symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria parasites can lie dormant in your body for up to a year.

Causes

Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans most commonly through mosquito bites.

Mosquito transmission cycle

Malaria transmission cycle

Malaria spreads when a mosquito becomes infected with the disease after biting an infected person, and the infected mosquito then bites a non-infected person. The malaria parasites enter that person’s bloodstream and travel to the liver. When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect red blood cells.

Other modes of transmission

Because the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells, people can also catch malaria from exposure to infected blood, including:

• From mother to unborn child
• Through blood transfusions
• By sharing needles used to inject drugs

RISK FACTORS

People at increased risk of serious disease include:

• Young children and infants
• Older adults
• Travelers coming from areas with no malaria
• Pregnant women and their unborn children

In many countries with high malaria rates, the problem is worsened by lack of access to preventive measures, medical care and information.

Complications

Malaria can be fatal, particularly when caused by the plasmodium species common in Africa. The World Health Organization estimates that about 94% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa — most commonly in children under the age of 5.

Malaria deaths are usually related to one or more serious complications, including:

• Cerebral malaria. If parasite-filled blood cells block small blood vessels to your brain (cerebral malaria), swelling of your brain or brain damage may occur. Cerebral malaria may cause seizures and coma.
• Breathing problems. Accumulated fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) can make it difficult to breathe.
• Organ failure. Malaria can damage the kidneys or liver or cause the spleen to rupture. Any of these conditions can be life-threatening.
• Anemia. Malaria may result in not having enough red blood cells for an adequate supply of oxygen to your body’s tissues (anemia).
• Low blood sugar. Severe forms of malaria can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can quinine — a common medication used to combat malaria. Very low blood sugar can result in coma or death.

5 WAYS TO PREVENT MALARIA FEVER

If you live in or are traveling to an area where malaria is common, take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you should:

1. Cover your skin. Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck in your shirt, and tuck pant legs into socks.
2. Apply insect repellent to skin. Use an insect repellent ny exposed skin. Do not use a spray directly on your face..
3. Apply repellent to clothing. Sprays containing permethrin are safe to apply to clothing.
4. Use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs), and /or Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticides, such as permethrin, help prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.
5. How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding:
   
   
6. Empty, drain, or cover all things that can and may hold water. Areas of your backyard or porch may have spots where rainwater can pool. Barrels and trash cans tend to collect rainwater extremely well.. Empty and drain all pools of water: Old tires, empty bottles, buckets, and other small containers and cover them up to prevent more water from gathering.
7. Repair or prevent outside leaks. Plumbing that runs outside can be affected by exposure to the weather, resulting in minor leaks.. Repair these problems to minimize water collection as much as possible.
8. When you water your plants, the excess water will run through the soil and collect in a pan. If you have any outdoor plants, these collection pans are a prime location for mosquitoes to breed. Empty and clean the pans at least once a week; more frequently is better.
9. The stagnant water is a great place for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Minimize mosquitoes breeding there by changing the water and scrubbing down the bath at least once a week; more frequently is better.
10. Cut grass short in your compound.  Mosquitoes aren’t likely to lay eggs in tall grass, but they tend to sit in tall grass for rest and hiding. Keep your grass as short as possible.
11. Trees on your lawn may have holes in their trunks where mosquitoes can rest and breed. If you can’t eliminate the holes, consider filling them with sand.

• Malaria vaccine: This has been recommended by World Health Organisation to  be used in endemic malarial countries like Uganda is the high risk  children under five years.