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Plasmodium falciparum (Malaria)

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Malaria disease. There are four types of malaria that affect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. The most common is Plasmodium falciparum shown above.

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Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a  parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito that feeds on humans. Malaria is a vector borne disease transmitted by a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles.

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Though malaria is a world wide problem, poor people living in rural areas and lack access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa are at higher risk. Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Sahara African countries. According to the CDC, there are over 2000 cases of malaria per year in the US, mostly due to travel to affected areas or contact with other travelers that have traveled to those regions.

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Pregnant women are at higher risk due to compromised immune system during pregnancy. Children are also at risk because their bodies have not completely formed partial immunity. The elderly and those with compromised immune disorders are at risk as well.

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Infected mosquitos bite and infect humans and some animals which infect the liver and then the blood cells. Then another mosquito bites an infected person and is now infected and can pass along the disease. This is how the disease can be spread so rapidly.

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The time that goes by before the first symptom appears is called the incubation period. Malaria has an incubation of 7 to 30 days before the first symptoms appear.

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The greatest deterrent to disease is prevention. There are many antimalarial drugs on the market but simple steps to decrease your risk are effective. Using mosquito nets, eliminating mosquito habitats like standing or stagnant water and proper lawncare, using mosquito repellant, paying close attention to children, treating clothing, wearing long sleeves, keeping your home clean, and most importantly knowing the symptoms of malaria.

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Timeline of malaria once bitten by infected mosquito.

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Symptoms of Malaria are headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, and muscle aches. Symptoms are similar to flu symptoms but patients attributed to those that have traveled outside the country or those that have come in contact with those travelers. severe cases may cause kidney failure, coma, convulsions, and death.

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There are many antimalarial drugs on the market in oral, rectal suppositories and injectable form. Some of the most common oral meds are Mefloquine, Doxycycline, Chloroquine, and Primaquine. Patients usually start a regime of drugs prior to travel in affected areas and sometimes afterward. Deciding which med to take depends on cost of medication, length of trip and the length of treatment cycle. Severe cases are treated with injectable drug Artemether.