Malaria | Medtick

Malaria

What is it?

A life-threatening disease.

  • It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite.
  • When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.

www.healthline.com

Further link (Regional information)

  • One needs to read the information to see when malaria is at its highest and/or lowest rates and in which specific areas/regions at the time of season.
  • Please click on the link Nathnac for further information.

Diagnosis tests

  • Peripheral blood smear
  • Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)
  • PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
  • Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) test
  • Serology

Countries where condition is found:

Africa

Middle East

Asia

Australasia and Pacific

Caribbean

North America

Central America

South America

Europe & Russia

Nathnac

Cause

  • Mosquito bites are caused by a parasite called plasmodium by the female mosquito: Anopheles mosquito

Five types of disease:

  • Parasite: Plasmodium Falciparum:
    • The most serious and can cause deaths.
    • Symptoms develop within seven to fourteen days (can be longer) of mosquito bite (Africa).
  • Parasite: Plasmodium Vivax:
    • Less serious than Falciparum malaria symptoms develop twelve to eight days but stays longer up to 3 years in body causing malaria symptoms some time later (Asia, Central & South America).
  • Parasite: Plasmodium Ovale:
    • Like Vivax malaria symptoms develop twelve to eight days but can  stay long in body. Less serious than Falciparum malaria. (Africa).
  • Parasite: Plasmodium Malaria:
    • Rare, less serious than falciparum malaria. (West Africa).
  • Parasite: Plasmodium Knowles:
    • Rare, less serious than falciparum malaria (South East Asia)

Spreading of malaria:

  • Newborn Babies – Transmission from their mother
    • Some babies may be born with malaria infection, acquiring the parasite from the mother, and not from a mosquito vector.
  • From others infected with malaria via transmission via blood transfusion/needles

Treatments

  • Blood Transfusion
    • Blood donor who has acquired an infection but may not have symptoms yet

Symptoms

Symptoms can develop within seven days or even up to  three years later:

  • Flu- like symptoms?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats (fever can become like a hot and cold phase every forty-eight hours ,hot phase lasts two to six hours , cold phase with shivering lasts one quarter to one hours) longer than 72 hours?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Balance and dizziness problems?
  • Sore throat for seven days or more?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


If pregnant or planning to get pregnant

This condition can lead to:

  • Premature birth  ( birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
  • Low birth weight
  • Restricted growth of the baby in the womb
  • Stillbirth
  • Miscarriage
  • Death of the mother

This condition has been associated with:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Malaria in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

    Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.

  • Medscape (Professional level)

    Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.

  • Healthline

    Medical Information and health advice you can trust

  • EveryDay Health

    Wellness inspired. Wellness enabled.

  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

    The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • WebMD

    Better Information. Better Health.

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

    No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)

  • Drugs.com

    Know more. Be sure.

  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

    Know more. Fell better.

  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!