What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes that belong to the genus Anopheles. Each year, approximately 1,300 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States. These cases do not normally occur in the United States but are discovered when travelers return from malaria-endemic parts of the world. Malaria is a leading cause of death in at-risk areas, particularly among children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Geography
Malaria occurs most frequently in parts of the world with tropical and sub-tropical climates where Anopheles mosquitoes are common. It is especially common in Africa, particularly south of the Sahara. It also occurs in portions of Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East. Occasional outbreaks of malaria have occurred in portions of Mexico as well.
Effects
Malaria usually causes recurrent attacks of high fever, shaking chills, profuse sweating and generalized feeling of being unwell. Some people with malaria also experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and headache. Left untreated, malaria can lead to anemia from destruction of red blood cells, liver and kidney failure, swelling of the brain and brain damage and fluid in the lungs. In some cases, malaria can be fatal.
Identification
Malaria may be suspected based on symptoms and a history of recent travel to a malaria-endemic area. To confirm the diagnosis, two or three blood samples are usually taken with a six hour interval between each test. The blood samples are then examined by a laboratory technician to look for the presence of the parasite that causes malaria.
Prevention/Solution
Several drugs are used in the treatment of malaria, including medications specifically developed for the treatment of malaria and certain antibiotics. The type of drug chosen depends on the specific malarial parasite that caused the infection and the severity of the illness. Depending on the method of treatment chosen, the medication may be dispensed as pills or may be infused through an I.V. line.
Time Frame
Symptoms of malaria tend to develop slowly after infection, and it may take 6 to 12 months for an infected person to realize that he is ill. Although treatments used for malaria usually eliminate the parasite relatively quickly, it can take several weeks for your body to recover from malaria. As a result, you may continue to feel weak and tired for several weeks following treatment as your body replaces blood cells damaged by the parasite.
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