What Is Malaria? Its Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

• Written by Jyotsana Shekhawat

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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The buzzing mosquito menace causes far more damage than just disturbing your sleep. The female mosquito, weighing less than 2 milligrams, has a lethal sting that can make you scratch yourself for hours. And if, to your bad luck, she is infected with a virus, things can get a little serious. The lowly mosquitos have been on the earth for billions of years, and getting rid of them is often tricky. 

A scourge through centuries, malaria has caused the death of more people than plagues and wars combined.1 Despite having spent millions, there still isn't any vaccine against malaria. Knowing about the disease, however, can help prevent it. Keep reading this article to learn more about malaria treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, which mosquito causes malaria, etc. Let’s start!

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted to the human body through bites of infected female Anopheles, a type of mosquito. These parasites penetrate the bloodstream, entering all the way to the liver, and multiply quickly, ultimately invading red blood cells. The disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in parts of Asia, South America, and Africa.

Which Mosquito Causes Malaria?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites, specifically Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium Falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale. These parasites are transmitted through infected female Anopheles Mosquitoes.

Symptoms of Malaria

It usually takes two weeks for the disease to show symptoms. The most common symptoms of Malaria are listed below:

• High fever
• Shaking chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in muscles
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Cough 
• Headache
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite

Malaria poses serious health risks if left untreated. As the disease worsens, it can lead to anaemia through red blood cell destruction and jaundice. The most dangerous type of malaria is cerebral malaria, where parasites sequester in the brain and might result in coma, thus progressing to death.

What are the Types of Malaria Parasites?

There are five types of Plasmodium parasites linked that cause malaria in humans. Each parasite has a geographic distribution—and level of severity. Let’s take a look.

• Plasmodium falciparum: The most dangerous of all, this malaria parasite is responsible for the majority of malaria-related deaths globally. It can cause severe complications, like cerebral malaria.
• Plasmodium malariae: While it is less common, this can give rise to chronic infections, making them last for years (and even leads to kidney damage). It has a longer incubation period–and milder symptoms than P. falciparum.
• Plasmodium vivax: Common in Latin America and Asia, this type of malaria parasite is less severe than P. falciparum but can bring significant health risks. It can remain dormant in the liver for months or even years, resulting in recurring infections.
• Plasmodium ovale: This parasite, found mainly in West Africa, is similar to P. vivax. It can stay dormant in the liver and trigger relapses. Moreover, it is relatively rare compared to other species.
• Plasmodium knowlesi: A zoonotic species found mainly in Southeast Asia, P. knowlesi primarily infects monkeys but occasionally spreads to humans. This parasite multiplies quickly and can cause severe illness if left untreated.

Malaria: Complications that can Pose Health Threat

Malaria poses grave risks, and without treatment, complications can be lethal.

• Cerebral Malaria: It occurs when parasites in the blood obstruct small vessels in the brain. This can lead to swelling or injury of the brain tissue, potentially resulting in seizures or coma.
• Organ Failure: Malaria poses risks to vital organs as it may harm the kidneys and liver or cause the spleen to rupture. All these can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Anaemia: Malaria destroys red blood cells, leading to insufficient oxygen delivery throughout the body and causing anaemia.
• Breathing Problems: Pulmonary oedema, which causes fluid buildup in the lungs, can impair breathing by making it challenging to draw oxygen into the body.
• Hypoglycemia: Severe malaria and quinine, a common treatment, may sharply lower blood sugar levels, potentially inducing a life-threatening coma or death if blood sugar drops too low.

It is important to note that Malaria could return. The malaria parasite can persist for years and lead to relapses in some cases. These parasites normally cause milder versions of the disease.

Malaria Diagnosis

Now that you know malaria is caused by mosquitoes and what the malaria symptoms are, it is time to understand what to do if you experience any such symptoms. Go to the doctor immediately for diagnosis. Before proceeding, your doctor will inquire if you have visited any mosquito-breeding place recently. After taking your medical history, you can go for a Malaria diagnosis with the help of two tests. 

• Blood test
• RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Tests)

Blood Test

Under blood tests, blood samples are taken to count the number of platelets and the quantity of bilirubin in your blood. If the number of platelets is lower and the amount of bilirubin in the blood is higher than the average level, it is severe Malaria.

>>Read More: How to Increase Platelet Count?

RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Tests)

RDT is required if the blood test report reveals platelet and bilirubin count variations. The blood sample is assessed further to check the presence of proteins called antigens. Plasmodium parasites produce antigens. The test can detect which species of plasmodium parasite is responsible for causing Malaria. 

Thus, both tests are helpful for doctors in diagnosing malaria and planning treatment.

What is the Best Treatment for Malaria?

The treatment of Malaria and the dosage of drugs depend on the severity of the illness. The treatment plan combines antimalarial drugs to control fever, antiseizure medications, fluids, and electrolytes. The medicines and antibiotics for malaria treatment available include: 

• Chloroquine
• Quinine
• Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
• Artemether and lumefantrine (Coartem)
• Atovaquone (Mepron)
• Proguanil (sold as a generic)
• Mefloquine
• Clindamycin (Cleocin)
• Doxycycline

Note: Medicines names are for information purposes only. We do not advise taking them without consultation with your doctor.

If it is falciparum malaria, a patient needs to be monitored in the intensive care unit of a hospital for malaria treatment as it can cause breathing failure, coma, and kidney failure. 

Ways to Prevent Malaria

Malaria is curable and preventive too. Here are the ways you can avoid getting mosquito bites and also do malaria prevention:

• Sleep in a room with a safety net on the windows and doors.
• Use a mosquito net over your bed.
• Spray permethrin and use repellent sprays for mosquitoes.
• Wear light-coloured and long-sleeved clothes.
• Avoid going outdoors without mosquito protection in the evening.
• Do not store water in any container, ground, pits, or pet food bowls.

Following these steps can greatly help prevent and control malaria.

>>Read More: How to Prevent Vector-Borne Diseases During Monsoon

Over to You

Knowing how to control malaria is essential to preventing the disease from spreading. The measures above can be expedient in shielding against malaria.

Additionally, opting for the best health insurance policy can help manage malaria-related hospitalisation expenses. Care Health Insurance offers an exclusive family health insurance policy that also covers vector-borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue, etc. (subject to policy terms and conditions). To get more information about the policy, you can allow our expert to contact you.

Disclaimers: Underwriting of claims for Malaria is subject to coverage and policy terms & conditions.