MALARIA

Presented

Michael Walukano

MEDIC

Definition

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Some people also think malaria is cause by bad air.

Mosquitos Biting

Spread/ Transmission

Malaria is spread from an infected person to a non infected person via female Anopheles mosquito bites.

The female anopheles mosquito carries malaria causing parasites in her belly and bites mostly between dusk to dawn.

She empties the malaria parasite infected blood from her body into your body which will allow the malaria parasite to mature in your liver to infect you later.

Malaria can also be spread through:

Blood transfusion

From pregnant mother to the unborn child

Sharing of needles by IV injecting drug users

Presentation of Malaria

The signs and symptoms of malaria include flu-like illness with fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache.

Some patients develop nausea, vomiting, cough, and diarrhea.

Cycles of chills, fever, and sweating that repeat every one, two, or three days are the most typical symptoms.

Presentation of Malaria:

People with severe malaria can develop severe bleeding problems, liver or kidney failure, central nervous system problems, coma and can lead to death.

Cerebral malaria (coma, or altered mental status or seizures) can occur from the P. falciparum infection. Even with treatment, about 15%-20% die.

Apart from spreading malaria the mosquito bites can also cause a skin problem called ‘Dermatitis’.

This presents with itching and scratching causing damage to the skin thereby causing secondary infection eg ‘Impetigo’ or ‘Cellulitis’.

Malaria is prevented by:

Sleeping under insecticide treated bed nets

Ensuring it is well tucked under the mattress

Wearing whole body light colored clothes in the evenings

Clearing bushes around the houseCutting long grass lowDraining stagnant waters around the dwelling areas

Stagnant water and marshy ground

Testing and Treatment of Malaria

If you feel any of the above signs and symptoms see the Medic, if at home visit the nearest medical facility.

Test for malaria is simple and instant with effective results

Taking a blood sample from a patient

Sick Child in hospital with malaria under treatment

An Infected Female Anopheles Mosquito in action

A very sick Kenyan boy with malaria at Kenyatta Hospital

Treatment

In Kenya our first line treatment is a combination of Artimesinin and Lumefantrin commonly known as Coartem.

In Kenya our second line treatment is Quinine Sulphate which is administered in hospital as infusion treatment.

Do not buy Over the Counter Medicine eg Antibiotics

Questions

Rafiki….Use your ‘kichwa’ and cover your kitanda with a ‘mbu’ net….. Sawa sawa?