Malaria

Malaria

What is malaria?

Malaria is dangerous killer disease which is caused by protozoan parasites. This protozoan parasite is known as Plasmodium. The mode of transmission of this disease is through bite of infected female mosquito which is called Anopheles.

Mode of Transmission of Malaria:

• Through blood transfusion (If the blood is positive for malaria parasites)
• Through sharing of IV needles (this is common among IV drug users)
• Through transplacenta (If the mother is positive for malaria parasites the unborn child in her womb will be infected too)

What are the common signs and symptoms of malaria?

• The patient chills
• There is high fever
• There is too much sweating when fever subsides
• There is Headache

What are the common species of malaria parasites in the Philippines?

The Four (4) Species of Malaria Parasites:

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium ovale

In the Philippines, 70% of malaria parasites cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and 30% by Plasmodium vivax. It is also estimated that 1% of the total malaria cases is due to Plasmodium malariae.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria, can lead to severe malaria, such as cerebral malaria if not treated immediately. Plasmodium vivax malaria on the other hand causes relapse if treatment was not completed. It does not lead to cerebral malaria.

What is the carrier of malaria parasites?

Not all mosquitoes are carrier of malaria parasites. In the Philippines, only the adult female Anopheles mosquitoes that were infected with malaria parasites carry, transfer and infect people by biting. Before the mosquito becomes infected, the malaria parasites undergo through the phases of developmental stages inside the adult female mosquito. After all those stages, that’s the time where the mosquito becomes infective with malaria parasites. The Anopheles mosquitoes breed in clear water of slow flowing streams that are found in remote mountainous or forested areas. Also in areas of brackish water (brackish water is where salt and fresh water meet). The Anopheles mosquito bites during evening until dawn commonly in coastal areas where they multiply rapidly.

People who are risk of having malaria

• The children
• The pregnant women
• The indigenous peoples
• The people who work in forest like miners and soldiers
• The people who travel to a malarious area

How can a person become infected with malaria?

When an infective Anopheles mosquito bites a person it transfers the malaria parasite and get him/her infected.

Can malaria parasite be transmitted to person by drinking water with mosquito eggs in the streams?
No. The malaria parasite can’t be transmitted by drinking water that has mosquito eggs in it because the parasite will pass through its development stages inside the adult female mosquito.

How is the presence of malaria throughout the country?

In the Philippines, malaria is endemic certain numbers of municipalities in the 63 provinces.

In the endemic areas, will the people living there continue to get sick of malaria?
A partial immunity to malaria may be developed on the people who are living in endemic areas.

The person with malaria parasite may not manifest the common signs and symptoms but can be examined through blood smear. Using the microscope, the malaria parasites can be seen if present in the blood smear of the person.

Treatment for malaria

There are appropriate anti-malarial medicines for treating malaria. However, the blood smear must be tested first on what malaria species has infected the patient. A blood smear has to be done to find out what particular species is present in the patient’s blood in order to properly prescribe the complete the dosage of the anti-malarial medicine for the patient.

Is there any vaccine to fight against malaria?

None. There is no vaccine against malaria that has been discovered at the moment. But medical experts have continuous research and development on vaccine for malaria.

How to prevent malaria, what are precautionary measures against this disease?

For those living in a malarious area

• They must sleep inside an insecticide-treated mosquito net every night.
• They must put screen on their windows and doors (only if their family can afford to do so) or in the sleeping area.
• They must wear long sleeves and long pants during night time activities.
• They must use insect repellant during night time activities.
• They must promptly consult the nearest health authorities and facility if they are experiencing symptoms of malaria and complete the medications as instructed. Do not self-medicate.

For persons going to a malaria endemic area

• They must consult the Provincial Health Office or Rural Health Unit of the province/area for medical advice.
• Chemoprophylaxis is given as follows:
• o Doxycycline 100 mg daily for 2 – 3 days before going to an endemic area, continue while in the endemic area and continue for 4 more weeks after leaving the endemic area.

NOTE: Doxycycline is not suitable and should not be given to pregnant women and children 8 years old and below.

NOTE: Taking chemoprophylaxis is not 100% assurance that one will not get sick of malaria. You must be extra careful while you are staying in an endemic area and should execute other personal protective measures against malaria infection.

• Their must preferably install screen on their windows and doors of sleeping quarters are screened. Or else they must sleep inside an insecticide-treated mosquito net or inside a conventional mosquito net every night if screens were not installed.
• They must always wear long sleeves and long pants during night time activities.
• They must also use insect repellant during night time activities.
• They must consult a physician and inform to inform that they went to a malaria endemic area and has stayed there for several days (history of travel to an endemic area) so that a blood smear will be taken, in case they develop or show signs and symptoms of malaria while in the area or after coming form an endemic area.