Malaria is one of the major public health problems of the country. Malaria can be mild in some cases, severe malaria canbe life threatening and can lead to death if not properly treated. Around 1.5 million confirmed cases are reported annually by the National vector borne disease control programme (NVBDCP) of which 40 to 50 percent is due to plasmodium falciparium. It is curable if effective treatment is started early. Delay in treatment may lead to serious consequences including death. Prompt and effective treatment is also important for controlling the transmission of malaria.

 Two billion people lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 106 countries and territories. The world Health Organisation estimates that in 2016 malaria caused 216 millions clinical episodes and 445000 deaths. Malaria is a common sickness especially in rural areas and underdeveloped environment. As these are the place where the disease causing germs are breed. There is no age limits for malaria, babies, children and adults are all prone to getting the sickness.

                       Types of malaria

    Parasites of the genus plasmodium cause malaria. Although there are many species of plasmodium, only five infect humans and cause harm.

P. Falciparium

  Found in tropical and subtropical areas, major contributors to death, from severe malaria. 

P. Vivax

   Found in Asia and Latin America, has a dormant stage that can cause relapse. 
   

P. Ovale

     Found in Africa and Pacific Islands 

P. Malaria 

    This canbe found all over the world and can cause chronic infections 

P. Knowesi

      Found through out southeast Asia, can rapidly progress from an uncomplicated case to a severe malaria infection. 

   The life cycle of the falciparium malaria parasites is complex. When an infection mosquitoes feeds on a human being, parasites called sporozoites are injected into the blood stream, from here they travel directly to the liver where they mature for about six days. At this stage, there are no symptoms of disease in the person who has been infected. 

                Risk factors of malaria 

  There are many factors which can increase your risk of getting malaria, some of them include. 
  • Rain and increased water bodies are appropriate for mosquitoes breeding and disease transmission 
  • Young children and infant 
  • Pregnant women 
  • People with weak immunity are more susceptible to the risk of malaria 
  • People travelling to malaria infected areas
  • Poverty and lack of health awareness and education contributes to spreading the disease and increasing mortality rates around the world 
  • Living in an underdeveloped or dirty environment 
    P. Falciparium causes a more severe form of the disease and those who contact this form of malaria have a higher risk of death. An infected mother can also pass the disease to their baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria. It is transmitted by blood, so it canbe transmitted through, An organ transplant, A transfusion, use of sharp needles or syringes. 

                Symptoms of malaria 

A malaria infection is generally characterised by recurrent attacks with the following signs and symptoms. 
  • Headache 
  • Shivering 

  • Fever 
  • Joint pains 
  • Vomiting 
  • Hemolytic anemia 
  • Jaundice 
  • Hemoglobin in the urine
  • Retinal damage
  • Convulsions 
  • Coma
  • Bloody stool
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Shaking 
  • Chills that can range from moderate to severe 
  • High fever 
  • Profuse sweating 
  • Bitterness in the mouth 

               Complications of malaria 

     Malaria is a serious illness that canbe fatal if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Pregnant women, babies, young children, and the elderly are particularly at risk. 
    The plasmodium falciparium parasites causes the most severe malaria symptoms and most deaths. 
  • As complications of severe malaria can occur within hours or days of the first symptoms. It's important to seek urgent medical help as soon as possible. 
   Other complications that can arise as a result of severe malaria includes;
  • Liver failure or Jaundice ; yellowing of the skin and whitening of the eyes 
  • Shock ;a sudden drop in blood pressure 
  • Pulmonary edema ;  a build up of fluid inthe lungs
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (Ards) 
  • Abnormally low blood sugar, hypoglycaemia 
  • Kidney failure 
  • Swelling and rupturing of the spleen 
  • Dehydration 

  Treatments and medication for malaria 

Besides supportive care, your doctor needs to decide on the appropriate antibiotics to treat malaria. The choices will depend on several factors which include 
  • The specific species of parasites identified 
  • The severity of symptoms and 
  • Determination of drugs resistance based on the geographic area where the patients travelled. 
 The physicians will Axminster the medication in pill form or as an Intravenous antibiotics depending on the above factors. 
  The most commonly used medications are;
  • Chloroquine 
  • Doxycycline (vibramycin) 
  • Quinine 
  • Mefloquine
  • Proguanil 
  • Arthemether and lumefantrine (coartem) 
  • Primaquine phosphate 

           Home remedies for malaria 

Grapefruit 

    Grapefruit contains a substance called quine, which is said to neutralise malaria inducing parasites. It aids in destroying the parasites and strengthen the immune system. A malaria patient should consume Grapefruit and grapefruits juice to combat malaria. 

Cinnamon 

   Cinnamon has great medicinal values and it contains cinnamadely which provides aid against inflammation. This spice is full of antiparasitic qualities. It consumption provides immediate relief to body ache that is usually attached to malaria. It canbe boiled with water and the concoction canbe taken with honey. It also reverse the loss of appetite, cramp, vomiting and nausea etc. Consuming this concoction can be a very useful home remedy to fight malaria. 

Holy basil

  Often the more symptoms of malaria includes, body and joint pain. Holy basil is a popular herb that ease inflammation and joint pains. It can be an amazing home remedy to treat the symptoms of malaria. It is also included in many ayurveda medicines and its said to cure many diseases including malaria. Basil canbe infused with tea or canbe boiled with water and consume with honey by the person suffering from malaria. 

Fever nut

  These are nuts which contains seeds with immense medicinal properties. It breaks the malaria fever and boost the immune system. This herbs effectively treats the symptoms of malaria and helps in curing the person suffering from malaria fever by reducing the soaring body temperature. Fever nut are one of the best home remedies that can be used against malaria symptoms. 

Ginger

  Possible qualities of ginger helps in relieving, nausea, fever, body ache, and in improving the appetite. Ginger is one food item which is available in every Indian household and can be used as a home remedy to fight malaria and its symptoms. It canbe boiled with water and consumed to speed up the recovery process. It has natural antibiotics properties which canbe enhance if its taken with raisins. This is one of the best home remedy one can do to prevent malaria. 

                     Prevention of Malaria 

Use mosquitoe repellant regularly, apply it to your skin especially to all exposed areas, and clothing for your skin, opt for a repellant that contains at least 10 percent concentration of deet
  • Use a mosquitoe bed net while sleeping 
  • Wear long sleeved shirt, pant, and socks 
  • Wear cover shoe when outside 
  • Avoid exercising outside as mosquitoes get attracted to sweat 
  • Empty and clean all containers that holds water, such as flower pots, flower vase, and animal dishes  atleast once a week to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your place. 
  • Keep your environment clean, ensuring that there is no stagnant water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes 
  • Try to stay in a well ventilated house
  • Spray insecticide regularly on your room to kill some mosquitoes 
  • Add some drop of kerosene tk any stagnant water to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding there. 
The major cause of malaria is the bite from an infected mosquitoes, but this canbe prevented and treated by following the above mentioned method