Topic > Malaria: signs, symptoms and treatment methods

IndexMalariaSigns and symptoms of malariaDiagnosis of malariaTreatment of malariaPrognosis of malariaMalariaMalaria is an infectious disease that affects both humans and some selected animal species (Wiese, 2012). Likewise, it is caused by a plasmodium parasite through the bite of a mosquito known as Anopheles gambiae. However, it is important to note that there is a range of different Plasmodium parasites, but only five Plasmodium parasites have been shown to cause malaria. These are; Plasmodium falciparum (common in Africa), Plasmodium vivax (common in South America and Asia), Plasmodium ovale (West Africa), Plasmodium malariae (common in Africa), and Plasmodium knowlesi (common in South Asia). Once a person is bitten by a Plasmodium-carrying mosquito, the parasite travels to the liver and subsequently resumes the bloodstream (White, 2011). Here the Plasmodium parasite invades red blood cells and lays eggs. After a period of 48 to 72 hours, the red blood cells usually burst and release more parasites into the bloodstream. In particular, every time the red blood cells burst, they simultaneously cause fever, sweating and chills in the infected person. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Signs and Symptoms of Malaria In the early stages of malaria, many people, even doctors, confuse malaria with the flu. It is therefore important to know that malaria presents flu-like symptoms in the early stages. Also, a person may have less severe symptoms or no symptoms at all, this depends on the person whether they are somehow immune to malaria. Symptoms of malaria can appear within or after seven days. However, this period can last depending on the Plasmodium parasite in play. This period can last 8 to 10 months if the cause is P-vivax or P-ovale. In particular, an infected person may complain of fever, headache, sweating, tiredness, nausea and vomiting and finally chills (Armstrong, 2014). These symptoms manifest in cycles that usually vary depending on the specific parasite at play. Malaria Diagnosis Accurate and timely diagnosis is vital for the effective control and management of malaria. The first diagnosis will involve identifying the particular parasite in the patient's bloodstream. It doesn't end with identification. For a correct and effective diagnosis of malaria, the specific team or specialist must look at the issue from various aspects. For example, it must understand the different species of malaria, the different stages involved in erythrocytic schizogony, the correlations between levels of infection, population development, immunity, resistance to malaria drugs, and so on ("Diagnosis of the parasite of malaria using fuzzy logic", 2016). In particular, malaria is a medical emergency and must be treated appropriately. Delays in treatment usually result in death. Treatment of Malaria It is important to note that malaria is treatable and preventable. Likewise, the goal of treatment is to totally eliminate the Plasmodium parasite from the blood cells of the infected patient so as to prevent the continuation of malaria towards complicated malaria or even towards a fatal position which is death. In the view of doctors and public health workers, malaria treatment is to carry the malaria infection or stop the malaria infection to others. There are several remedies known for treating malaria. These are; Artemether-lumefantrine, Artesunate-amodiaquine, chloroquine and many other malaria drugs available. However, the choice of drug.