Malaria, the rapid disease and its prevention

" Malaria life cycle............."

           This parasitic infection spread by the female anopheles mosquito in common in these costal districts. Two types of malaria, P.vivax and P.falciparum, occur with the former causing nearly 80%of the infections. The disease is characterized by fever, body ache, head ache with or without chills and shivering. The symptoms occur 7-10 days after being bitten by an infecting mosquito. It can become severe and even life threatening in patients who suffer for the first time and in case of P.falciparum infection.

         " people loosing their lives due to this infectious disease"

   In case of fever, get a blood test done for malaria immediately. T he is available free of cost at all Primary  Health Centres and hospitals run by the government. It is also widely available in private laboratories and hospitals. In case of confirmed infection, full treatment as prescribed by the doctor should be taken. In most cases, this would include chloroquine and primaquine tablets, and in addition Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine tablets in case of P. falciparum infection. If malaria is associated with yellowish colouration of the eyes and urine, difficulty in breathing, altered levels of consciousness and very high fever, approach a referral hospital.

               Prevention of malaria involves protection against mosquito bites and taking antimalaria prophylaxis. The female anopheles mosquitos bite at midnight and early hours of the morning. The best method of protection is regular use of mosquito nets at night. In the evening hours. It is advisable to wear clothing that covers most parts of the body and mosquito repellents like DEET can be applied to exposed parts of the skin.         

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