A parasite is the main cause of malaria.  When a mosquito bites a person, it injects the parasite into blood circulation, and the human body contracts it. Patients typically experience severe symptoms, including a high temperature and chills. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms usually begin 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected Anopheles mosquito. If not properly treated, people may have recurrences of the disease months later. 

How Malaria Spread Around Us 

Contaminated places are the main cause of this. Additionally, using infected needles or syringes or receiving blood transfusions from sick individuals can spread malaria. Individuals who have untreated or insufficiently treated malaria can infected a mosquito that bites them. For instance:

1. A person who is already infected.

2. The parasite that causes malaria infects the mosquito.

3. After entering the bloodstream, the parasite makes its way to the liver.

4. After maturing, the parasite infects red blood cells.

5. And at last Symptoms develop.

Signs That Indicate You Have Malaria

1. Shivering and a chilling sensation are key symptoms of the initial stage, that lasts about 15 to 60 minutes.

2. The hot stage is the period of high fever and other symptoms that lasts 2–6 hours. 

3. The sweating stage is the third stage of a paroxysm. It occurs when the fever begins to subside and the body cools itself by sweating

4. The gametocyte stage, in which parasites transform into sexual forms, is the last. The spread of malaria can then continue when these sexual forms are transferred to another mosquito.

 Malaria Prevention 

1. While sleeping, use mosquito nets, and dress in long sleeves, pants, and socks, particularly those treated with insecticides.

2. After sunset, apply insect repellents containing DEET, IR3535, or Icaridin.

3. Stay in rooms with air conditioning or use window screens.

Take Proper Medication :

1. Take medicine before and after travel

2. The type of medication depends on the destination, duration of travel, and other factors

3. Some medications include chloroquine, proguanil, mefloquine, and doxycycline

4. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of malaria, especially fever, cold and Fever, sweating, Fatigue, and Difficulty in breathing

Treatment 

Regular Medication:

1. Phosphate Of Chloroquine: For every parasite that is vulnerable, chloroquine is the recommended course of treatment. Chloroquine phosphate is in a class of drugs called antimalarials and amebicides. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria and amebiasis. But it is not recommended in some parts of the world due to drug resistance

2. Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy (ACT): It is a mix of two or more drugs that work against the malaria parasite in different ways. This is usually the preferred treatment for chloroquine-resistant malaria. Examples include artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem) and artesunate-mefloquine.

3. Quinine: is used to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium falciparum is a parasite that gets into the red blood cells in the body and causes malaria. Quinine works by killing the parasite or preventing it from growing.

4. Atovaquone-Proguanil (Malarone) 250-100 mg tablet:It is a combination of two drugs, atovaquone and proguanil, in a single tablet. Atovaquone-proguanil can be prescribed to adults and children who weight at least 11 pounds (5 kg). 

Future Of Malaria Vaccination

The RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-M vaccinations are advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent childhood malaria. Beginning at approximately five months of age, these malaria vaccinations are administered in a sequence of four doses.

1. RTS, S/AS01 Vaccine:

  • In 2021, the WHO recommended the first vaccine. 
  • Administered as an injection into the muscle 
  • The fourth dose is administered between 15 and 18 months after the previous three are administered monthly. 
  • This vaccine has been demonstrated to lower hospitalizations for severe child mortality. 

2. R21/Matrix-M Vaccine :

  • This is the second vaccine approved by the WHO.
  • This vaccine is based on the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of the parasite and
  • It's given as a 4-dose regimen. It's adjuvanted by Matrix-M which helps boost the immune response.
  • It is a recombinant protein vaccine that uses hepatitis B surface antigen and the AS01 adjuvant 
  • It is delivered as an intramuscular injection.
  • This vaccine has shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials and it is cost-effective.
  • These vaccines are vital because they can lessen the number of deaths among children. In nations with moderate to high transmission, malaria is a major cause of child death.

Conclusion:

Malaria remains a life-threatening disease that affects millions worldwide. It spreads through infected mosquito bites and, if untreated, can lead to severe complications like organ failure, coma, or death. Recognizing symptoms early, using preventive measures like mosquito nets and repellents, and taking prescribed antimalarial medication are crucial in reducing risks. Effective treatments like ACTs and quinine-based therapies help manage infections, while the RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-M vaccines offer hope for childhood malaria prevention. With awareness, prevention, and vaccination, we can reduce malaria cases and save lives, especially in high-risk regions. Stay protected and take malaria seriously.