Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the invasion of a single–celled microorganism plasmodium into human erythrocytes.
CAUSES OF MALARIA
Malaria is spread by the bites of an infected female mosquito, by injection and transfusion of already infected blood. Thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, malaria has become a rare disease in almost all developed countries. But as for the developing countries of Asia and Tropical Africa, the disease is quite common there.
symptoms
The incubation period of malaria can last from 10 to 35 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
The main symptom of the disease is an unreasonable increase in temperature, slight malaise, chills, muscle pain and headache. In some cases, the onset of the disease is a significant increase in body temperature and a terrific chill, which, as a rule, are mistaken for flu symptoms. After some time, the symptoms of the disease, depending on its form, may vary.
Tropical malaria is characterized by impaired brain function, with very high body temperature, drowsiness and severe headache. A disease that occurs with a violation of the functioning of the brain can end in death.
In the absence of timely treatment of malaria, mild jaundice develops, the liver and spleen increase. The symptoms of malaria do not disappear even if the number of parasites in the blood decreases.
DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA
The first symptom of the presence of this disease is an unreasonable increase in human body temperature, against the background of chills.
If a patient has been in an area with malaria outbreaks during the previous year, this is another significant reason to suspect the presence of malaria. The enlargement of the spleen, which is fixed even with a visual examination, also indicates the possibility of malaria.
To detect the parasite in the blood, which is the final confirmation of the diagnosis of malaria, a number of laboratory tests are carried out. Moreover, the study is carried out in several stages, since the number of parasites in the blood varies depending on the time of day.
Laboratory studies reveal a variety of plasmodium, which is extremely necessary to develop the right treatment tactics.
TREATMENT OF MALARIA
Conducting drug therapy does not guarantee a complete cure of this infection.
The method of treatment is chosen depending on the form of malaria that is diagnosed in a particular person, as well as on whether there are strains of parasites in the area that have developed resistance to chloroquine.
In the treatment of an acute attack of malaria in areas where there are strains resistant to chloroamine, I prescribe quinine perrorally or intravenously to the patient.
People living in areas where there is a threat of the spread of malaria must comply with certain safety rules. First of all, it is necessary to exclude as much as possible the possibility of mosquitoes entering the room. For this purpose, mosquito nets, specialized aerosols, and skin treatment with repellents are used. After sunset, it is necessary to dress properly so that the skin is protected as much as possible from possible mosquito bites.
While traveling through areas with increased risk for this disease, it is necessary to stock up on certain medications to prevent this disease. Their reception must begin a week before the trip, during it, and after it for another month.
