Know About Malaria Treatment, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Prevention

Malaria is an infectious disease caused because of the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito. She carries malaria-causing pathogens called Plasmodium parasites from one infected person to another. The sting of an infected female anopheles mosquito creates a path for parasites to enter into your bloodstream. Once they enter into your blood vessels, they mature in the liver within a few days. It starts affecting the body's red blood corpuscles and rapidly divides to cause harm to your whole body. It can be fatal if not treated timely. 

Thus, it is critical to prevent this severe disease, especially during monsoon, because it is the breeding season for mosquitoes. Read below about malaria treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention:

Malaria Symptoms

It usually takes two weeks for the disease to produce the symptoms. The most common symptoms of Malaria enlisted below:

• High fever
• Shaking chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain in muscles
• Cough Headache
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite

Malaria Diagnosis

If you experienced any above malaria symptoms, go to the doctor immediately for diagnosis. Before proceeding, your doctor will inquire if you have visited any mosquitoes bred place recently. After taking your medical history, you can go for Malaria diagnosed with the help of two tests. 

•  Blood test 
• RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Tests)

Blood Test- Under blood test, your blood samples are taken for the test 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 amount, it is severe Malaria.

RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Tests)- RDT requires if the blood test report reveals variations in platelet and bilirubin count. The blood sample assesses 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 the tests are helpful for the doctor to plan your treatment for Malaria.

Malaria Treatments

The treatment of Malaria and the dosage of drugs depends on the severity of the spread. The treatment plan is the combination of antimalarial drugs, including medications to control fever, antiseizure medications, fluids, and electrolytes. The drugs available to treat malaria 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 monitor in the intensive care unit of a hospital for malaria treatment as it can cause breathing failure, coma, and kidney failure.  

Malaria Prevention

Malaria is curable and preventive too. Here are the ways you can keep away from getting mosquito bites:

• 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-colored and long sleeves clothes
• Avoid going outdoors without protection in the evening
• Do not allow water to store in any container, ground, pits, pet's food bowls

>>Click Here to Read How to Prevent Vector-Borne Diseases During Monsoon

Suggestion

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