Learn about Malaria - traveller’s risk
Anp Pharma |
Mosquito is known to be
the most dangerous insect that has caused maximum human deaths. As per the most
recent estimates from World Health Organization, about 50% of the world’s
population is at risk of Malaria. In the year 2015, 215 million cases of
malaria registered of which resulted in 4,38,000 deaths.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is an infection
caused in Red Blood cells (RBCs) by a parasite called Plasmodium. Plasmodium falciparum is the most potent
parasite reported to have cause Malaria. Other less known species that cause
Malaria are Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium
knowlesi.
Once the parasites enter
your body, they mature in the liver. These mature parasites later infect the
RBCs. Commonly known symptoms of Malaria
are malaise, vomiting, and fever with
chills. Unavailability of treatment can
worsen the symptoms and cause anaemia, hypoglycemia and Cerebral Malaria
(obstructs supply of blood to the brain).
Severe complication like cerebral Malaria can cause coma, can hamper the
learning abilities for a lifetime and even cause death.
Diagnosis and treatment
Primary symptoms cannot
alone confirm the presence of the parasite since they are nonspecific in
nature.
Early diagnosis is
crucial for a patient's quick recovery from the disease. The confirmation of
the parasite can only be done by microscopy analysis of blood sample or rapid
diagnostic test. The most commonly prescribed antimalarials include
Chloroquine, Quinine Sulfate, Hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine and a combination of Atovaquone
and Proguanil.
Antimalarial prophylaxis -
preventive treatment
Malarial Prophylaxis is
the preventive treatment for Malaria. While there are several oral medications
prescribed for it, pharmaceutical companies are working hard on developing
vaccines for it. Travelling to Malaria endemic countries increases the risk of
contracting the infection; therefore malarial prophylaxis becomes
mandatory.
The region visited, the
length of stay, time of visit, primary protection against mosquitoes are all
important factors that influence the choice of medication for prophylaxis.
Malarial prophylaxis causes a lot of side-effects like
diarrhoea, blurred vision, nausea, and heartburn. Some of the medication also
cause adverse neurological effects such as insomnia, mental clouding, vivid dreams,
dizziness, anxiety and coordination problems. Antimalarial
Prophylaxis is a range of preventive medication for Malaria introduced
by ANP Pharma.
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