malaria: parasites in the blood by Rylee Simons

Intro

simonsrylee — 2024-03-20 18:12:22 UTC

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that enters the bloodstream through the bites of infected mosquitos

Where

simonsrylee — 2024-03-20 18:16:53 UTC

Malaria is common in tropical and subtropical countries. So people in these regions are susceptible. Each year nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die of the disease

How

simonsrylee — 2024-03-20 18:20:47 UTC

Malaria signs and symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria parasites can lie dormant in your body for up to a year.

Malaria attacks

simonsrylee — 2024-03-20 18:22:10 UTC

affected people may experience cycles of malaria "attacks." An attack usually starts with shivering and chills, followed by a high fever, and sweating then a return to normal temperature

Early symptoms

simonsrylee — 2024-03-20 18:22:18 UTC

Fever and flu-like symptoms
Chills
Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness
Nausea and vomiting

Severe symptoms

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 00:44:11 UTC

Respiratory distress
Convulsions
Coma
Jaundice
Hypoglycemia
Renal failure
CSF opening pressure
Bleeding/clotting issues
Rare Invasive bacterial infection
Pulmonary edema (lungs)

Transmission

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 00:54:44 UTC

Parasite transmitted most often through the bites of infected mosquitos, but can also be transmitted through the exposure to infected blood.

What Happens

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 01:08:22 UTC

Person is bitten by malaria infected mosquito

Transmits malaria parasite into body

Malaria travel to liver where they can lie dormant for a while

Once malaria are mature, they leave the liver and enter into the blood stream

In the blood, they infest red blood cells, this is when symptoms begin

Risk Factors

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 01:15:57 UTC

The greatest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or to visit areas where it is common.

Sub-Saharan Africa
South and Southeast Asia
Pacific Islands
Central America and northern South America

People at increased risk of serious disease include:

Young children and infants
Older adults
Travelers coming from areas with no malaria
Pregnant women and their unborn children

In many countries with high malaria rates, the problem is worsened by lack of access to preventive measures, medical care and information.

Diagnosis

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 01:21:10 UTC

Lab work (blood testing)

Physical examination

Rapid diagnostics test

Treatment

simonsrylee — 2024-03-22 01:25:10 UTC

Antiparasitic medication (different depending on the type of malaria and severity)

Chloroquine phosphate
Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone)
Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin) with doxycycline (Oracea, Vibramycin, others)
Primaquine phosphate