Introduction
Malaria is caused by a mosquitoes’ bite that carries a Plasmodium parasite. Malaria’s symptoms are: shivering, fever, headache, chills, and sweating malaise. Malaria can turn out to be life threatening to infants, elderly or people with low immunity (Better Health Channel, 2015). Typically, malaria is transmitted through infected Anopheles mosquito’s bite. After the bite, Plasmodium parasite is released into the bloodstream. It takes 2 to 3 days for the parasites inside RBC (red blood cells) to multiply and causes infected cells of the individual to burst open. Malaria can also spread through an infected mother as she can pass it to her child at birth. Malaria is spread through transmission of blood; therefore, it is also spread through organ transplants, blood transfusion, or shared syringes or needles (Burke & Laflamme, 2015).
Prevalence
The history of Malaria and mankind go hand in hand and over time Malaria has grown prevalent in several parts of the world. Mankind has been aware of Malaria for several millenniums. 7-12 millenniums ago in Africa, temperatures increased and it led to rise in humidity, increased water sources and agriculture. But, several water pools and water bodies also created a favourable climate for breeding of mosquitos and transmission of diseases like malaria. Mosquitos started working as carriers for parasite and ever since they have been identified as the central cause for spreading Malaria (Mandal, 2013). Malaria was discovered and named by Charles Laveran in 1880 and he led the path work for differentiation between mosquitos (CDC, 2016; Fagan, 2000). The largest epidemic of Malaria spread across several different countries during in The First World War and The Second World War. The epidemics ended up killing more than 100,000 U.S. soldiers alone (Healthcare Business & Technology, 2012). The highest reporting of malaria occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa, South-east Asia, India, and some areas of Northern South America and Central America (Malaria, n.d.) Children under 5 years of age are highly vulnerable to Malaria. Therefore, malaria has been present in different parts of the world for millenniums and infants are most threatened by its impact (WHO, 2016). This has happened because of certain human and hygiene factors that helps in its prevalence.
Factors
Human and hygiene factors play a significant role in the prevalence and persistence of the disease. Human factors for the spread of Malaria are evident, such as transmission during birth, used syringe or needle, organ transplant, development of breeding sites at the tyre tracks, swimming pools, water pipes, drains, gutters, agriculture (De Silva & Marshall, 2012). Hygiene, waste collection, and sanitation, are key factors for the transmission of Malaria. They increase the chances of transmission of parasite among humans through infected mosquito (De Silva & Marshall, 2012). Therefore, prevention of malaria can be possible with significant measures taken such to manage human and hygiene factors. Apart from these measures, there is treatment that is also highly effective.
Treatment
Years of research have revealed that Malaria can be treated through through certain prevention measures. Doctors take blood samples for confirming the diagnosis and use the samples to set for Plasmodium parasites. Malaria can be treated with the use of antimalarial drugs and several measures available for controlling the symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Some of the common treatment measures are medications for fever control, anti-seizure medications, electrolytes, and fluids. Therefore, anyone stricken from malaria needs to take treatment measures by following the guidelines provided by their doctor. The drugs available for treating malaria include Chloroquine Quinine, lumefantrine and Artemether (Coartem), Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), Atovaquone (Mepron), Mefloquine, Proguanil (sold as a generic), Clindamycin (Cleocin) and Doxycycline (Drugs, n.d.). Some of the actions that can be taken for prevention of malaria are staying indoors; using bed nets, mosquito repellent creams and liquids; wearing clothes to cover the body; applying permethrin; and using insect repellents (CDC, 2015; Drugs, n.d.).
Conclusion
Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases and it is highly common in several parts of the world. The disease is transferred through Anopheles breeds of mosquitos and transfer parasite that stays within the systems weakening the individual over time. There are several human and hygiene factors that are directly linked with the development and transmission of the disease among humans. Humans can prevent Malaria by taking prevention measures and treat themselves by taking medications and vaccinations.
Essay Plan
References
Better Health Channel. (2015). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www3.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Malaria/$File/Malaria.pdf
Burke., D. & Laflamme., M.R. (2015, 14 December). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.healthline.com/health/malaria#Overview1
CDC. (2015, 10 June). Malaria Treatment (United States). Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/treatment.html
CDC. (2016, 11 March). The History of Malaria, an Ancient Disease. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/history/
De Silva, P. M., & Marshall, J. M. (2012). Factors Contributing to Urban Malaria Transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012, 1-10. doi:10.1155/2012/819563. Retrieved from, http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jtm/2012/819563/
Drugs. (n.d.). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/malaria.html
Fagan., T. (2000, 17 July). When was malaria first discovered and by whom? How is the disease transmitted? What are its effects?. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-was-malaria-first-di/
Healthcare Business & Technology. (2012, 6 April). The 10 deadliest epidemics in history. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.healthcarebusinesstech.com/the-10-deadliest-epidemics-in-history/
Herchline., T.E. & Bronze., M.S. (2015, 27 October). Malaria Treatment & Management. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/221134-treatment
Mandal., A. (2013, 29 January). Malaria History. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.news-medical.net/health/Malaria-History.aspx
Mayo Clinic. (2016, 5 January). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20168001
Srinivas. (2015, 25 February). Malaria in India. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.malariasite.com/malaria-india/
WHO. (2015). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.who.int/gho/malaria/en/
WHO. (2016, April). Malaria. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/
WHO. (2016, 6 April). Malaria in children under five. Retrieved 31 July 2016 from, http://www.who.int/malaria/areas/high_risk_groups/children/en/
