Malaria
Malaria is a type of illness people
get due to parasites entering their body. This occurs when they are bitten by
certain species of mosquitoes which have been infected by the parasites. This
is very serious because the parasites will settle into a person’s liver. Here they will
continue to multiple and then they will begin to attach themselves to the red
blood cells in the body.
If the Malaria is treated early on a
person has a very good chance of survival. However, many people don’t associate their illness
with getting bitten by mosquitoes. Many of the symptoms of Malaria are similar
to those of the flu. They include fever, headache, and vomiting. Up to a two
week period can take place between the mosquito bite and the onset of Malaria
symptoms.
There are some very good medications
out there that can kill the parasites in the body. The sooner a person seeks
medical treatment, the better their chances of recovery are. It can really
destroy the immune system and take a long time for a person to fully recover
from Malaria. Simple illnesses may take a severe toll on them due to their
immune system being so weakened by the parasites.
More than 500 million people are
diagnosed annually with one of four types of Malaria. The majority of these
cases take place in third world countries. Individuals that travel to these
areas are required to get a vaccination to help prevent the chances of them
contracting any form of Malaria.
Yet one issue is that many of the
mosquitoes that have the parasites have become immune to certain vaccinations.
This means that you may think you are going to be safe from contracting Malaria
but that isn’t the
case. Researchers continue to monitor the mosquitoes know to have the parasites
and to offer effective vaccines that can help prevent people from contacting
it.
There are many different medications
that can be given to a person diagnosed with Malaria. What will be given
depends on what the region has readily available. It will also depend on the
type of Malaria they have been diagnosed with as well as the severity of it. In
many third world countries there simply isn’t enough medication available for all of those that have become
infected with Malaria.
Malaria & Mosquitoes
Only female mosquitoes are known to
carry the parasites that are known to cause Malaria. When a person is bitten by
a mosquito that carries them their blood is infected with the parasites. They
will find their way through the body to the liver where they will incubate for
several weeks. Then the parasites will travel among the red blood cells and the
result will be your body becoming severely ill until those parasites have been
removed.
Female mosquitoes are on the hunt for
a meal of blood due to the need they have for it. They must have a good supply
of blood on a regular basis in order to produce enough protein for her eggs to
be healthy. While the female mosquito is taking blood from a human, the
salivary glands are touching the person. This is where the parasites come from
and enter through the bite location that the mosquito has made.
There are more than 3,500 different
species of mosquitoes that have been identified in locations around the world.
It is estimated that approximately 40 of them are able to successfully transfer
the parasites to humans that cause Malaria. The majority of them are found in
third world countries. There is a concern as these species of mosquitoes
reproduce rapidly. They can lay up to 200 eggs at one time so efforts are made
to reduce the number of them out there.
There are various insecticides offered
out there that strive to reduce the number of mosquitoes in an area. Yet their
survival instincts certainly do kick in. They are able to evolve enough to
become resistant to various insecticides. As a result it keeps researchers on
their toes. They have to develop more effective products to kill them. At the
same time though they have to make sure the environment is protected from harm.
Anyone who has suffered from Malaria
will tell you that it is definitely worth every effort to prevent Malaria than
to have to get treatment for it. Those that will be in locations where Malaria
is possible need to take precautions. They need to get vaccinations and take
tables that can prevent Malaria. They also need to wear plenty of repellent
with DEET and long sleeved clothing.
Malaria Prevention
With more than 500 million cases of
Malaria diagnosed annually, preventative measures have to be put into place.
This is often very expensive though and that becomes a problem due to most of
the cases occurring in very poor third world countries. There are two main
objectives when it comes to the issue of Malaria prevention. First, to reduce
the number of mosquitoes out there that can carry the parasites. Second, to
offer effective vaccines to individuals so they will be less susceptible to it.
The most effective way to control the
number of mosquitoes out there that can bite a person and give them Malaria is
to spray insecticides. There has to be a balance though of what will kill them
but also won’t harm
people, animals, and crops. The mosquitoes that do survive such sprayings end
up immune to what is being used. The problem is that with their resistance more
powerful chemicals are needed in order to effectively reduce their numbers.
Offering effective vaccinations is a
key element in preventing Malaria. These vaccines are often required before
anyone from another country can travel to a destination where Malaria is very
prevalent. Verification that the vaccination has taken place will be required
before you can enter that country.
Yet these vaccines also begin to lose
their effectiveness as the mosquitoes become more resistant to the chemicals
used to kill them. Researchers must continue to track what is effective and
what isn’t for vaccines. Many
individuals from relief efforts volunteer their time to give these vaccines to
the people that live in areas where Malaria runs rampant.
Ongoing research will also help to
prevent Malaria in the future. Finding a very effective vaccine that can take
care of it without modifications will be difficult to secure. Yet with the
technology that scientists and researchers have available it is hopeful they
will come up with something that is quite effective.
Individuals should do all they can to protect
themselves from mosquito bites as well. Use a spray that contains DEET. Apply
it every couple of hours in locations where mosquitoes are out in large
numbers. Wearing long sleeved shirts and pants in the morning and the evening
when mosquitoes are out is important. Screens should also be placed around
living quarters in order to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside with you.
Malaria Tablets
Many individuals choose to take
Malaria tablets when they travel to destinations where it is possible they can
contract it. Even though they have likely had a vaccination they do this as an
added line of defense. Individuals are warned at the time of a vaccination that
they may not find it 100% effective due to some mosquitoes developing a
resistance to them.
Since Malaria isn’t something a person
really wants to take their chances with, it can be very effective to add the
tablets as an additional line of defense. It is a good idea to choose a type
that is recommended by your health care professional. There are many brands out
there but some of them haven’t proven to be as effective as others.
Most doctors will prescribe a Malaria
tablet for you that you can pick up at a local pharmacy. Most health insurances
will cover the cost of it as they would rather pay for that then your medical
care if you contract Malaria. You will have to check with your individual
insurance company though. There are also generic brands that you can pick up if
you have to pay for the cost out of your own pocket.
When you are taking Malaria tablets,
you need to take them at timed intervals. You also need to make sure you only
take the recommended dosage. Failure to take the Malaria tablets when you
should and in the amount you should could result in them not offering you the
protection you need. Some individuals experience side effects when they take
Malaria tablets including dry mouth and nausea.
It is recommended to take Malaria
tablets with food to help prevent the onset of side effects. If you end up with
severe abdominal pain or vomiting after taking a Malaria tablet you should stop
taking them. Most health care professionals recommend you start to take them
about three days before your travels begin. This way you can find out how your
body will react to them.
Even with the combination of a vaccine
and the correct use of Malaria tablets, the prevention of this ailment is about
98%. Many individuals will tell you that the mild side affects associated with
taking Malaria tablets are a better alternative than having to fight the disease.
Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria is a very serious type of
illness that you need to seek immediate medical attention for. The parasites
that are transmitted to your body will attack your liver and your red blood
cells. They will also continue to increase in number and you will become very
ill. Without medical treatment, most individuals with Malaria will die. Getting
the right diagnosis can be hard though as many individuals initially think they
only have the flu.
It is very common for a person to experience
symptoms of Malaria including a headache, fever, and vomiting. Some individuals
will also become very achy and even experience periods of time where they are
chilly. Extreme fatigue and a desire to sleep for hours at a time are also very
common symptoms of Malaria. A person has to be very careful as they can become
dehydrated if they also have diarrhea. This is very serious and should be
evaluated by a doctor immediately.
As the parasites continue to increase
in number and the liver and red blood cells are affected, more severe symptoms
will occur. These should definitely indicate to a person that what is going on
is much more than just the common flu virus. A person may start to hallucinate
due to the high fever they have with Malaria. The skin may develop a yellowish
tint to it due to jaundice setting in. This is a sign that the liver is in deed
in distress.
Some individuals start to see blood in
their urine and stools when they have Malaria. Other people seem to be off
balance due to their central nervous system being affected. Some individuals
will also have seizures or even fall into a coma due to their Malaria spreading
so rapidly throughout their body.
One of the many reasons why
individuals don’t
readily associate their symptoms of illness with Malaria is that it can take
several weeks for the illness to occur. For many people, getting bitten by
mosquitoes is very common and not something they would think to report to their
doctor. However, it is important to share that information because it can
result in you getting the right diagnosis and the right treatment for your
Malaria.
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