Malaria can result because of a mosquito-borne parasite named Plasmodium. It destroys red blood cells in the body, which leads to anaemia because healthy red blood cells are the primary carrier of oxygen around our bodies. Above all, timely treatment is crucial to avoid complications. The parasites transmit from human to human via mosquitoes infected with the parasite. If this happens, you will get sick. Moreover, the most common type of malaria is a result of a protozoan called Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite has a complex life cycle with many forms, which include-
Gametocytes
These are mature infect the mosquito and allow the parasite to move between humans (transmission).
Sporozoites
These form of infects the mosquito and develops into gametocytes.
Resting liver cells (hypnozoite)
These forms are dormant in the liver of an infected person. They can reactivate if immunocompromised, for example, in HIV co-infected individuals.
Erythrocytic forms
These live inside red blood cells and multiply by cell division, eventually causing the infected cells to burst. The individual will experience fever when they have parasites in their blood, called an episode. In addition, People with a high number of parasites can experience life-threatening complications, including coma and organ damage.
However, it is still unclear whether all these forms exist in humans or are exclusive to mosquitoes. The doctor may rule out the form of insect you are infected with, before prescribing you the malaria treatment.
The most common way for P. falciparum to infect humans is through the bite of an infected mosquito. An infected mosquito from a human can transmit the disease to other people. It means you cannot get this disease from someone else who has it, for example, if they have just returned from a trip where they contracted malaria.
People become sick with this illness because the parasite interferes with normal red blood cell function and starts multiplying. When many parasites grow inside the red blood cells, they start filling up with all their stuff and burst. It discharges more parasites into the bloodstream.
Pregnant women with this disease are at risk for delivering small infants who do not survive. Babies who do survive may suffer from anaemia (low blood count), weakened immune systems, and other complications. In addition, malaria can also cause organ damage, lung failure, or even death.
What is Plasmodium falciparum?
Plasmodium falciparum is a single-celled protozoan parasite, one of the species that causes the disease. Female Anopheles mosquito transmit this disease, which can also carry other species of Plasmodium that cause different forms of this illness in humans.
This parasite has played a significant role in human history. It was one of the tropical diseases to which European explorers and colonists in Africa and Asia were not initially resistant. As discussed above, malaria treatment may rely upon the type of insect, which has caused you the disease.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
The symptoms of this disease are very similar to flu or other common illnesses, which can make it difficult for doctors to diagnose. However, people may experience the following symptoms if they have this disease-
- High fever
- Chills
- Sweats
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Coughs
- Colds
Severe cases of malaria can cause organ failure and death.
The most dangerous form is cerebral malaria. It can cause seizures and coma, followed by brain damage or death if not treated quickly. If the parasites infect your brain, you are more likely to have permanent neurological problems, including speech impairment, memory loss, or paralysis affecting one side of your body. In addition, menstruating women are more prone to severe forms than men. People older than 16 years and children younger than 5 years tend to be most severely affected.
What are the symptoms of cerebral malaria?
Some people with such disease may develop swelling of the brain, fits, hallucinations, and other significant neurological problems. In addition to cerebral malaria, another type of disease, called falciparum malaria, can be dangerous. It is more likely to cause brain infections.
How is malaria diagnosed?
The first method of diagnosis is by a physical exam to look for parasites in the blood using microscopy. The tests are necessary, to begin with, the accurate treatment.
Microscopic detection
It involves an examination of a stained thin film of blood. Blood can be stained with a color known as Giemsa.
Chemiluminescent testing
It uses the chemical luciferin combined with oxygen to detect the presence of parasite DNA in blood samples. The test is fast, specific, and can be performed on whole blood stored on filter paper.
A rapid diagnostic test (RDT)
It has recently become available. This involves a drop of blood being placed on a test strip. If it is positive, it will change colour within 30 minutes. However, these tests are not as accurate as of the microscopic or chemiluminescent methods. The next step is to do a thick smear, where the blood sample is allowed to settle and examined under a microscope.
In addition, other laboratory tests may include assessing the blood for antibodies to malaria parasites. Doctors can detect it by performing an antibody-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA). EIAs look at specific proteins in your blood, including antibodies, made when cells fight off the parasite.
How is malaria treated?
There is no cure for this disease. However, you can treat it with medications such as anti-malarial drugs and proper care. There are several different kinds of these medications that fight the parasite in different ways.
The most common malaria treatment used is chloroquine, which fights the parasites in the blood cells.
However, if chloroquine does not work, other treatments include-
- Quinine
- Pyrimethamine
- Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine with leucovorin (Fansidar)
- Mefloquine
- Atovaquone-proguanil
- Artemether-lumefantrine
- Combinations such as Fansidar
How effective are anti-malarial drugs?
Anti-malarial medications have been used for decades to fight this infection. Modern anti-malarials are generally quite safe and well-tolerated. However, the risk of drug resistance is increasing in some parts of the world. Around 2.7 million people contract malaria each year in South America, with the highest rates reported in Venezuela. Moreover, it is also endemic to tropical areas in Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and islands in the Pacific.
