Malaria is a parasitic infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The illness is most common in the tropical and subtropical regions of many countries. While there are antimalarial medications that can kill the parasite that causes the infection, doctors urge people in high-risk locations to take steps to avoid infection to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Symptoms of malaria can present within ten days to four weeks after receiving an infected mosquito bite. These symptoms include:
Symptoms often present in cycles, which tend to take a similar course:
Even when symptoms are mild, there’s a risk of recurrence. In this case, a person may experience symptom relapses over the course of years if the parasite remains in their system.
Malaria complications can be quite severe, especially in children under the age of five. Complications of malaria can include:
When a mosquito bites a person infected with malaria, they acquire the parasite. And when the mosquito bites another non-infected person, they pass the parasite to them.
Upon entering the body, the parasite that causes malaria goes to the liver, then makes its way to the bloodstream. There are also other methods of transmission, including blood transfusions and intravenous drug use. If a pregnant woman is infected, she can also pass malaria to her unborn child.
Doctors use blood tests to detect the presence of parasites when a person suspects an infection. From there, antiparasitic medications are administered. Drug regimens are often ongoing to ensure the infection is completely cleared from the body.
As for prevention, a vaccine is available to children living in high-risk areas of the world. Medications administered to treat malaria can also help prevent it when used proactively. Other preventative measures include:
Taking these steps can greatly reduce overall contact with infected mosquitos, which then mitigates the risk of acquiring malaria.