Malaria is a disease of the blood that is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted from person to person by a particular type of mosquito, I chose it because I find it so interested about this disease that took away thousands of lives. According to CDC this parasite has been existing for 50.000 – 100,000 years and the population size of the parasite did not increase until about 10.000 years ago. Some studies suggest that Malaria may have originated from gorillas and relatives of the human malaria parasites remain common in chimpanzees. References to the unique periodic fevers of Malaria are found throughout recorded history, beginning of 2700 BC in china. Malaria may have contributed to the decline of the roman empire. The term Malaria originates from medieval Italian mala aria (bad air) and according to WHO, Malaria was common in most Europe and North America where it is no longer endemic though imported cases to occur. 9 December 2014 – Global malaria mortality rates have been reduced by 47% between 2000 and 2013, according the latest World Malaria Report launched today (WHO, 2014).
Some of the signs and symptoms are related to the hole body, typically begin from 8 to 25 days following infection however, symptoms can occur later in those who have taken antimalarial medications as prevention. The initial manifestations of the disease are very similar to flu’s symptoms and can resemble other conditions such as septicemia, viral disease etc. The common symptoms of Malaria is occurrence of sudden coldness followed by shivering and then fever, sweating every two days and it can extend the fever from 36 to 48 hours or a less pronounced and almost continuous fever (Malaria no more, 2014). Also headaches, spleen enlargement, fatigue, pain, vomiting etc. There are several complications caused by the Malaria disease such as the development of respiratory distress, which occurs in up to 25% in adults and 40% in children, and the possible causes to this complications include respiratory compensation of metabolic acidosis or pulmonary oedema. Also rare in young people with severe malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, this occurs in 5% to 25% of adults and up to 29% of pregnant woman. This infection may result in cerebral malaria that involves encephalopathy which is associated with retinal whitening, which may be a useful clinical sign in distinguishing malaria from other disease. The Malaria in pregnant women is an important cause of infant mortality, abortion and low birth weight (MedlinePlus Medical, 2014).
The treatment is based on antimalarial medications; the ones used depends on the type and severity of the disease. While medications against fever are commonly used, their effects on outcomes are not clear. The treatment of several Malaria should be treated aggressively with parenteral antimalarial therapy regardless of the species of malaria seen on the blood smear. Oral antimalarial drugs are not recommended for the initial treatment of severe malaria. Uncomplicated malaria may be treated with oral medications such as artemisinins in combination with other antimalarial medications. The treatment during pregnancy is different, the WHO suggests the use of quinine early in the pregnancy. The treatment also depends in the species of malaria parasite causing the infection and the part of the world in which the infection was acquired, additional factors such as age, weight may limit the available options for malaria treatment. If the person have a serious side effect while taking the drugs, the health care can report to the FDA about the side effects of the drug. Diagnosis is an important part of the treatment, it must be recognized promptly in order to treat the patient in time and prevent further spread pf infection. Malaria should be considered a potential medical emergency and should be treated accordingly, a delay in
