Malaria.

Malaria is a deadly disease that has killed thousands of people.It is still common till this day.

what is malaria?

Malaria is an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan that invades the red blood cells.

What are the signs of malaria?

The symptoms of malaria are not specific and can be mistaken for other diseases,it can be difficult to diagnose.

It is important that a blood test is made to be sure of what you are suffering from.

It is also vital that treatment starts within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms,to prevent progression to severe malaria to death.

The main symptoms include:

-A high temperature(fever)of 38’c(100.4’f) or above(occurs at regular times)

-vomiting

-sweating and shivers(a.k.a rigors)

-body and muscle pains

-headaches

-diarrhoea

-in some cases,it can affect the brain or kidneys.

In many health centers in Africa and malaria prone regions,it is common to see patients with these signs and symptoms being treated for malaria even before lab results come in.

All the signs and symptoms can be similar to other infections,but if they show in particularly malaria prone countries,they are most likely to be as a result of malaria.

Where was it found?

Mostly common in Asia and much of sub-saharan and the Americans.

How do you get it?

Malaria is caused by parasites called plasmodium, of which different species caused different types of malaria.A person gets malaria when they are bitten by a certain female mosquitoes(of the species Anopheles)that carry plasmodium parasites in their saliva.The mosquitoes themselves pick up the parasite by feeding on blood of people already infected with malaria.