What is Malaria?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. 

What this means is that Malaria spreads when an infected mosquito bites you.  A mosquito can be infected by tiny parasites and when it bites you, it injects the malaria parasites into your bloodstream.

If it is not treated, malaria can cause severe health problems such as seizures, brain damage, trouble breathing, organ failure, and death. If you are traveling to an area where malaria is common, talk to your provider about malaria prevention.

Who is most likely to get Malaria?

Malaria is common in areas where it is hot and humid. Four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide: Nigeria (31.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (13.2%), the United Republic of Tanzania (4.1%), and Mozambique (3.8%).According to the WHO in 2020

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Malaria symptoms usually appear 10 days to one month after the person was infected. Symptoms can be mild. Some people do not feel sick for up to a year after the mosquito bite. Parasites can live in the body for several years without causing symptoms.

Signs of malaria are similar to flu symptoms. They include:

• Fever and sweating.

• Chills shake the whole body.

• Headache and muscle aches.

• Fatigue.

• Chest pain, breathing problems, and cough.

• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

• As malaria progresses, it can cause anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

How is malaria diagnosed?

To confirm a malaria diagnosis, a blood test is done in a lab to check for malaria parasites or you can get a Malaria DTP kit here. 

The blood test will indicate whether or not you have malaria and will also identify the type of parasite that is causing your symptoms. This information helps your provider determine the right treatment.

Find out the top six ways to prevent malaria

Stay in well-screened areas at night

Avoid sleeping outside or in the vicinity of areas where mosquitoes like to live, e.g. standing water (tires, puddles, waste dumps), make sure that there are no holes anywhere, and keep your door closed at all times. 

Always use a bed net treated with insecticides

Check that the net is not damaged and always ensure it is properly tucked underneath your mattress. The room itself should have additional nets attached to the windows and doors. Keep the air conditioning and a fan on, as mosquitoes tend to stay out of cool, air-conditioned rooms.

Use mosquito repellents

Use an insecticide spray containing pyrethroids in all living and sleeping areas, especially during the evening and nighttime hours.

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Go for long sleeves

Wear long-sleeve shirts and trousers in the evening and at night. The less skin that is exposed, the better. Additionally, you can treat your clothes with permethrin and wear a mosquito repellant band in order to increase your protection.

Reapply Insect repellent 

Insect repellent creams or lotions should be applied to any remaining exposed parts of the skin, especially in the evening and during the night. It is advisable to apply the repellent during the daytime as well. You never know, a particular mosquito might decide to bite you in broad daylight.

Sunscreen comes first - repellent second

If you are using sunscreen and repellent at the same time, sunscreen should be applied first and insect repellent second, at least 30 to 50 SPF sunscreen is recommended.

At night you still need to use repellant, but sunscreen is not needed from dusk to dawn.

Looking for how to detect, treat and prevent malaria? Order your Malaria DTP kit here, you can also speak to a pharmacist for free here and we will make sure you get your kit the same day you order it.

Till we meet again

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