MALARIA

What is Malaria?
Is a disease of blood That is Transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes.
It is common throughout the world.

What is the Infectious Agent that cause Malaria?

Malaria is cause by any one of four species on one-celled parasites, called
PLASMODIUM. The parasite is spread to people by the
female Anopheles mosquito, which feed on human blood. The four species
are:

• Plasmodium Vivax
• Plasmodium Falciparum - is potentially life-threathening
• Plasmodium Malariae
• Plasmodium Ovale

How is Malaria spread?

A human get bite by infected female Anopheles mosquito which parasites
go into the person's blood and then travel to the liver, where they grow to
their next stage of development. In 6-9 days, the parasites leave the liver and
enter the bloodstream again. They invade the red blood cells, finish
growing, and begin to multiply quickly. The number of parasites increases
until the blood cells burst, releasing thousands of parasites into the person's
bloodstream. Malaria parasites can also be transmitted by blood tansfusion
of blood from an infected person.

Symptoms of Malaria
People have cycle of chills; fever and sweating that reoccur every 1, 2, or 3
days, the attack of the malaria parasites on the person's red blood cells make
the person's temperature rise and the person feel hot. the subsequent bursting
of red blood cells make the person fell cold and have hard, shaking chills.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often go along with the fever. The
destruction of red blood cells can also cause jaundice and anemia.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The time between a mosquito bit and the start illness is usually 7-21 days
but same parasites take much longer to cause symptoms.

How is Malaria diagnosed?

Blood test - Blood Film Malaria Parasites (BFMP)

What complications can result from Malaria?

Malaria caused by Plasmodium Falciparum can cause kidney or liver failure,
coma and death. Although infections with other malaria parasites cause less
serious illness, parasites can remain inactive in the liver and cause a
reappearance of symptoms month or even year later.

Prepared by: Cassidy Rabong

©http:cassidy-r.blogspot.com (5 December 2010)