Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that gets transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. This can be a highly fatal disease. In 2019 there were 229 million cases of malaria worldwide and 409000 deaths worldwide in the same year.
What are the signs and symptoms
- The various symptoms of malaria are :
- Fever
- Chills
- Discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Increased heart rate
- Joints and muscle pain
- Fatigue
The signs and symptoms of malaria show within 2 -3 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
When should you see a doctor?
If any of the symptoms show after you have travelled to a malaria prone area or you reside in one .It’s better to have an intervention as soon as possible.
More prevalent in
South and South East Asia
Sub Saharan Africa
South America
Who are at a greater risk?
Children and young adults
Pregnant women
Older adults
What could be the possible complications of malaria?
Malaria can be a fatal disease if it gets complicated. The few complications of malaria are:
- Cerebral malaria: if the parasite reaches your brain this may cause seizures and patient may slip into coma.
- Multiple organ failure: Malaria parasite can cause damage to various organs such as liver and spleen. It can even cause rupture of the spleen.
- Shock: A sudden drop in the blood pressure.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome : Difficulty in breathing
- Pulmonary oedema : fluid gets filled in the lungs
If you are living in a mosquito prone area then you should:
- Cover yourself well
- Use of a mosquito repellent specially during dusk and dawn
If you are travelling to a malaria prone area then you should talk to your doctor about the preventive medicine available. There are some vaccines also available, but the efficacy hasn’t been proven and they are still under experimentation.
