Malaria headache
A pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. It is an important presentation in malaria. The cytokine (chemicals release in the body due to infection or injury) is believed to be an important factor leading to headache in acute malaria. Headache in malaria can occur on one side or both side.
Malaria fever
A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature above the normal range of 36. 1 – 37.2˚Celsius (97 – 99˚ Fahrenheit). Fever is a sign of illness and the most common causes are infections (bacteria, virus or parasite like malaria). Fever can also result from inflammation.
Chills
It is the body’s way of producing the heat to tackle the cold feeling. It is more common the young children. Chills can be caused by cold temperature, viral or bacterial infection. It is also an important symptom of disease like malaria. It can occur with fever and associated with shaking or shivering. Medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen can help in reducing fever and chills.
Malaria in Africa
Malaria in Africa
Malaria, a disease of global health importance, has resulted in enormous costs to individuals, families and governments, especially in Africa, despite increased efforts towards its prevention and management.
According to WHO, a major percentage of deaths from malaria occur in Africa. WHO’s 2015 reports showed that about 88% of the cases of malaria were recorded worldwide, and 90% of the deaths occured in Africa.
Although there is still a significant number of infections and deaths from malaria, the report also stated that there has been an overall decrease in the number of cases and fatalities from malaria over time.
It is noteworthy that the war against malaria has also yielded positive results. There was a decline of about 42% in the number of cases of malaria recorded between 2000 and 2015. In that time, there was also a 66% decrease in the number of people that died from malaria in Africa.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a disease which is both preventable and curable; it is caused by parasites known as Plasmodium. There are five Plasmodium species that cause malaria. The causative organisms of malaria which are of the greatest public health importance in Africa are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Plasmodium vivax – which is particularly common in some areas of Africa – is especially difficult to handle and manage, while Plasmodium falciparum is a widespread cause of malaria in Africa.
Who is at the greatest risk of contracting malaria?
Malaria is carried by female Anopheles mosquito. When the mosquito sucks blood from a person, it deposits the causative parasites of malaria. Individuals with a low level of immunity are most prone to developing the disease after the causative parasites are deposited. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a highly efficient mosquito that transmits Plasmodium in certain parts of Africa, contributing to the increased burden of the disease in the region.
The groups of persons most affected by malaria are children under the age of 5 whose immunity are yet to develop properly. Pregnant women are also at an increased risk of contracting the disease because their immunity decreases as a consequence of pregnancy. Individuals that have not built up their immunity to malaria (such as travellers) are at increased risk of contracting the disease.
Interesting facts about Plasmodium
As the group of parasite responsible for malaria, Plasmodium has several interesting characteristics.
They can cause up to four different types of malaria
They stay in the salivary glands until they have access to the liver where they can reproduce
When they get to the red blood cells, they cause bursting of the cells
Prevention and management methods of malaria
Because malaria is a preventable disease, a lot of measures can be taken stop its transmission and stay safe.
The preventive measures of malaria including preventing contact with mosquitoes. The use of long-lasting insecticidal nets and insecticide sprays are major ways of preventing the spread of malaria.
Research on vaccines is underway, with ongoing pilot projects to determine the effectiveness and suitability of vaccines for widespread use. Global efforts are continually being deployed to curtail the menace of malaria.
The peculiarity of malaria in Africa is as a result of a complex of contributing factors which include poverty, lack of resources and appropriate healthcare facilities to manage the disease effectively.
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References
Malaria’s Impact Worldwide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/impact.html
Malaria Burden in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.africairs.net/the-malaria-burden-in-africa/
Malaria. World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Retrieved from https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/malaria
Malaria can be prevented
Higher body temperature (>99°F) than normal
It’s an indication that the body is trying to fight an illness or infection.
Minor infections may cause mild or short-term fever.
We can consider body temperatures of 103°F and above high. Furthermore, it can signal a potentially dangerous infection, e.g. malaria.
In malaria patients, fever can be low grade to high grade. Furthermore, patients can present with or without chills, and either intermittently (every 48-72 h) or continuous or prolonged.
4 things we know about Malaria
Malaria-infected mosquitoes don’t discriminate. They can bite anyone. This means that malaria can affect anyone who lives in or travels to areas where there is malaria transmission. About 100 countries across the world experience malaria transmission, with the Sub-Saharan African region experiencing the highest numbers of cases and deaths.
Do you live in or plan to travel to malaria areas? Here are six important things you should know about malaria;
Malaria is a major public health problem in West Africa
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that in 2019, there were 229-million clinical cases of malaria and 409 000 people died of malaria, most of them children in Africa. The latest World Malaria Report in 2020 showed that Nigeria had the highest number of global malaria cases (27%) in 2019 and accounted for the highest number of deaths (23%), making it a major public health challenge in the country.
Malaria is transmitted all over Nigeria. About 76% of the population live in high transmission areas while 24% of the population live in low transmission areas. The transmission season can last all year round in the south and is about three months long the northern part of the country.
Malaria is not only transmitted by mosquito bites
Malaria is not contagious so you will not catch it by being in contact with someone with malaria. Most people become infected with malaria when they are bitten by an infected mosquito. However, the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells so you can catch malaria if you are exposed to infected blood. Here’s how;
Blood transmissions
From mother to unborn infant
By sharing needles
Some people are at greater risk of malaria
Anyone can become ill with malaria but there are some groups of people who are at greater risk of severe disease. In places with high malaria rates, lack of access to preventive measures, medical care and poor awareness aggravates the problem. People most at risk are;
Children under the age of five
Older adults
Travellers coming from other countries where there is no malaria
Pregnant women who can also pass on malaria to their babies before and during birth
People in rural areas who do not have access to information and medical care
Some immunity against malaria is not enough
People living in malaria regions like West Africa can develop partial immunity against malaria because they are exposed to it enough during their lives. Having partial immunity can lessen your symptoms if you are infected with malaria but partial immunity can wear off if you move to a place where you’re no longer regularly exposed to the parasite. Experts warn against assuming you have some immunity just because you have grown up in a malaria area. You should always take precautions against being bitten.
