Malaria Facts and Statistics

Malaria can be described as a serious condition that is known to affect adults as well as children. It is caused by a parasite, which is transmitted to people, by mosquitoes. People suffering from this condition generally experience frequent and recurrent attacks of fever and chills. Cases of malaria are not very common in places that have temperate climates; this condition is more prevalent in those countries where the climate is tropical or sub-tropical. Therefore, people are exposed to this condition when they visit places where the disease is common.

Places where malaria is quite widespread include African countries, the Indian subcontinent and the Solomon Islands. Though anyone can suffer from malaria, young children and infants are more likely to develop this condition, due to their still developing immune systems. Therefore, it is important for parents to ensure that their children are aware of this condition, so that they can take the appropriate steps to prevent it. It is quite easy to obtain malaria facts for kids, so that children can be educated about the condition. The best way to get children to learn about this disease is by presenting interesting malaria facts to them.

Given below are a few malaria facts and figures that have been reported on a worldwide basis:

Malaria is prevalent in over 100 countries around the world and is a threat to around 40% of the world population.
Between 300 and 500 clinical instances of malaria are recorded every year, across the world
Malaria claims the life of a child every 30 seconds. It could also lead to long term side effects, like neurological disorders and learning disabilities in children who survive
Around 20% of all the deaths in children below the age of 5 are the result of malaria.
71% of all the deaths caused by malaria occur in children below 5.
People affected by this disease experience severe symptoms, are bed ridden for a long period of time and are not capable of carrying out even the most basis daily activities.

Malaria Treatment

Few people are aware of the fact that there is a malaria cure, if the condition is treated in time. The treatment adopted may vary from one person to the other, based on factors like age, the type of malaria, severity of the condition and medical history. Malaria treatment guidelines generally include drugs such as chloroquine, quinine sulfate, mefloquine, hydroxychloroquine and a combination of other medication. However, some of these medicines may not be appropriate for women who are pregnant. Therefore, it is best for people to follow the right malaria prevention steps, especially when visiting areas where this condition is prevalent.

Though there are no vaccines to prevent malaria as yet, there are several steps that people can take, to prevent the infections. Some of the strategies recommended for natural malaria prevention are:

Spraying the home with insecticides, so that mosquitoes do not survive
Sleeping under a net so that the mosquitoes cannot bite you
Wearing full sleeved and long clothing when in the outdoors
Applying a mosquito repellent spray or ointment on the skin, to repel the mosquitoes

The health malaria prevention steps mentioned above only reduce the possibility of an infection; they do not guarantee that a person will not be infected.

There is a lot of information easily available on malaria treatment and prevention through various resources. However, for treatment of the condition, it is best to consult a doctor.

Malaria Symptoms

What are malaria symptoms?

There are quite a few malarial fever symptoms experienced by people who are infected by the condition. However, the malaria symptoms and signs may vary based on the type of malaria as well as the severity of the condition. Given below are some of the relatively mild malaria symptoms experienced by people:

Chills and trembling
High fever
Profuse sweating, which leads to a drop in body temperature

At times, severe malaria symptoms may also be evident, which generally cause people to get concerned and seek medical treatment. It is best for people to visit a doctor immediately in order to alleviate the malaria symptoms and treatment. The severe malaria symptoms in children and adults include:

Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Headache

The symptoms of malaria usually begin within a couple of weeks, after the person has been bitten by the infected mosquito. It is possible for people to experience the mild malaria symptoms first, and for the severe malaria symptoms to follow gradually. At times, certain malaria parasites could lie dormant in a person’s body for months or perhaps even years.

Though there are many details easily available on malaria symptoms and causes through various resources, it is best to seek medical assistance in case any of the symptoms mentioned above become evident.

Malaria Causes

Malaria Causes and Effects:

Intermittent fever, also known as periodic fever, is a common complaint faced by many children. If the fever is a low grade one, few people worry about it. However, it is important to consult a doctor, if a child suffers from this condition, as one of the common intermittent fever causes is malaria.

What are the causes of malaria?

The main cause of malaria is a microscopic parasite, which infects mosquitoes. These parasites are transferred to humans, who are bitten by an infected mosquito. There is a transmission cycle that is followed where the parasite travels to the liver. When the parasite leaves the liver, the red blood cells are infected and this is when the symptoms of the condition become evident. Apart from mosquito bites, there are a few other factors too, that could cause the disease to spread from one person to the other. This can occur:

From an infected mother, to an unborn child
Through a blood transfusion
By sharing an infected needle to inject drugs

Malaria could have a serious effect on a person’s body and can also be fatal. Most of the deaths that occur due to malaria are a result of serious complications, which include:

Cerebral malaria, where swelling in the brain or even brain damage could occur
Pulmonary edema or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which lead to breathing problems
Low blood sugar, which is one of the most common causes of coma or death
Failure in some of the vital organs, which could include the liver or the kidneys.
Severe anemia as the red blood cells get damaged

As soon as the symptoms of this condition become evident, it is important to consult a doctor and get the condition treated.

Submitted on January 16, 2014