What is Malaria?
Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasite travels to the liver, where it multiplies before entering the bloodstream and infecting red blood cells. This leads to high fever, chills, sweating, and flu-like symptoms, which can cycle in waves.
Malaria can also spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy (congenital malaria). However, the primary mode of transmission remains mosquito bites. Preventive measures such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, applying mosquito repellents, and taking antimalarial medications are essential to reducing the risk of infection.
Causes of Malaria:
- Mosquito breeding is more common in warm, humid climates with stagnant water sources.
- Mother-to-Baby Transmission (Congenital Malaria) – A pregnant woman with malaria can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth, leading to congenital malaria in newborns.
- Blood transfusions – Rare cases of transmission through infected blood.
- Congenital transmission – A mother can pass malaria to her baby during childbirth.
- Organ Transplants In rare cases, malaria can be transmitted through an infected organ donor.
- Climate and Seasonal Changes – Warm and humid climates, heavy rainfall, and monsoon seasons increase mosquito populations, leading to a higher risk of malaria outbreaks.
- People in tropical and subtropical regions (e.g., Africa, South Asia, and South America) are at higher risk.
- Mosquito bites – The most common mode of transmission.
Symptoms of Malaria:
- Recurrent Fever Spikes – High fever episodes that come and go in cycles, often accompanied by chills and shivering.
- Profound Sweating – Excessive sweating that follows fever episodes as the body attempts to cool down.
- Severe Body Aches – Intense muscle and joint pain, similar to flu symptoms, making movement difficult.
- Pale Skin and Shortness of Breath – Due to anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells.
- Blurred Vision or Sensitivity to Light – Some individuals may experience visual disturbances due to malaria complications.
- Rapid Heartbeat (Tachycardia) – The body’s response to fever and reduced oxygen levels in the blood.
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) – Caused by liver involvement.
