Malaria Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites which are transmitted through mosquito bites. This disease is usually found in malaria-endemic areas, such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara.
Malaria can occur in several types depending on the parasite that causes it. Each type also has a different procedure for handling it.
The following types of malaria:
- Tertian malaria is caused by Plasmodium vivax
- Quaternary malaria is caused by Plasmodium malaria
- Malaria ovale is caused by Plasmodium ovale
- Tropical malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum
Symptom
The following are the symptoms of malaria:
- shivers
- High fever
- Easily Tired
- Weak
- seizures
- Sweat a lot
- Nausea accompanied by vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle ache
Reason
The cause of malaria is an infection with the malaria parasite—named Plasmodium —which is carried through mosquito bites. This parasite will then settle in the liver before finally attacking the patient’s red blood cells.
Risk Factors
Everyone can get malaria. However, there are several factors that increase your risk of developing this infection, namely:
- Live in tropical or subtropical areas
- History of traveling to malaria-endemic areas, such as Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and several countries in South Asia
Treatment
Treatment of malaria is carried out through the provision of artemisinin-based antiparasitic (ACT). Treatment for malaria depends on the type of malaria you have.
- ACT and primaquine are given to treat infections caused by P. falciparum, P. ovale, and P. vivax
- ACT is given to treat infections caused by P. malariae
Some of the drug therapy that is usually given is:
- Quinine
- Artemisinin
- Artesunate
- Primaquine
- chloroquine
Prevention
The risk of getting malaria can be reduced and prevented by taking the following steps.
- Take prophylactic doses of malaria drugs before traveling to malaria-endemic areas
- Wear long clothes and mosquito-repellent lotion
- Applying 3M, namely draining the bathtub, closing standing water and sowing abate powder to eradicate mosquito larvae
- Use bed nets
Complications
If malaria is not treated properly, there is a risk of complications, such as:
- Acidosis
- Severe anemia
- Acute kidney failure
- seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Organ failure
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately visit a doctor if you experience the following symptoms.
- High fever accompanied by symptoms after visiting an area with a high risk of contracting malaria
- High fever accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, decreased appetite and living alone or far from health facilities
- Experiencing loss of consciousness
- seizures