Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted through bite of an infected mosquito at night. There are two main types of malaria: Falciparum and Vivax. Falciparum malaria is the more severe type and can be fatal. Vivax malaria is generally mild but can sometimes be fatal.
The common signs and symptoms of malaria consist of high fever, headache, chills and shivers, nausea and vomiting. In severe form of the disease the signs and symptoms included severe vomiting and diarrhea, generalized convulsion, delirium and impaired consciousness, followed by persistent coma and may be death.
Malaria is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected anopheline mosquito. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion. In congenital malaria, malaria may be transmitted from mother to child before and/or during birth.
• Cover doors and windows with wire mesh/screens. • Use mosquito nets (preferably insecticide treated). • Arrange for indoor residual spraying with insecticide. • Destroy mosquito breeding places around the habitat that reduces the number of mosquitoes. • Apply insect repellents to the skin of the exposed part of the body. • Wear shirts with long sleeves/long dresses and full trousers after sunset. • While visiting malaria endemic areas take maximum protection, take drug prophylaxis and protection from mosquito bites. • Start prophylaxis one week before arrival to malarious area and continue weekly for at least four weeks after return to a non-malarious area. • If symptoms are suggestive of malaria, seek immediate medical help.
People working in mining, forestry, plantation, subsistence farming, constructions of roads and dams are at high risk of malaria. Other specific groups of people at risk of malaria are young children, pregnant women, people with HIV/AIDS, travelers travelling from non-malarious areas to malarious areas and immigrants from non-malarious areas to malarious areas.
Malaria is curable. Treatment depends on the type of malaria (falciparum, vivax or other forms), degree of drug resistance, severity of infection, personal allergies and contraindications. Appropriate treatment is available with the health worker/clinic or hospital nearby. TAKE ANTIMALARIAL MEDICINES IN PRESCRIBED DOSES AND FOR THE FULL RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF DAYS. HELP PREVENT EMERGENCE OF RESISTANCE TO ANTIMALARIALS.
No. Malaria is not spread from person to person like a cold or the flu, and it cannot be sexually transmitted. You cannot get malaria from casual contact with malaria-infected people, such as sitting next to someone who has malaria.
Currently there is no licensed vaccine against malaria, but scientists are working toward that goal. MVI (Malaria Vaccine Initiative) is specifically working to ensure the development and availability of malaria vaccines for children in developing countries where malaria is a major health problem.