Malaria is an infectious disease that can be transmitted due to mosquito bites. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito which carries the Plasmodium parasite. Plasmodium parasites will enter the body through mosquito bites, later these parasites will settle in the human liver before attacking red blood cells. Symptoms begin to be felt by sufferers approximately 10-15 days after the mosquito bite. The symptoms that are felt are as follows:
- Fever
- Nauseous
- Headache
- Weak
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
- Muscle ache
- shivers
- bloody chapters
If not handled properly, in patients with severe symptoms of malaria can cause anemia, disorders of vital organs, seizures, and death. Of all the symptoms that have been mentioned, not all sufferers will experience the same symptoms. In the case of malaria patients, sufferers may experience different symptoms, depending on the level of seriousness of the case.
Prevention of malaria
Malaria is widespread in the world, usually cases of malaria are often found in countries with tropical and subtropical climates such as Africa, Asia and South America. Indonesia as a country with a tropical climate means that some cases of malaria can still be found in several regions such as Papua, West Papua and NTT
On 6 October 2021, WHO approved and recommended the Mosquirix vaccine (RTS,S/AS01) for the prevention of Malaria. However, this vaccine is not yet available in Indonesia and is still in limited use.
And some of the following ways can be done as a prevention of being bitten by mosquitoes carrying malaria:
- Use of mosquito nets on beds
- Wear long sleeves and trousers when out and about
- Use mosquito repellent cream or spray
- Using antimalarial drugs
Types of malaria
After understanding the meaning and ways of preventing malaria, it should be noted that there are five types of Plasmodium that can cause malaria. What are the types? Here's the explanation:
- Plasmodium falciparum . This type of parasite is very dangerous because it can reproduce quickly, so it can cause death.
- Plasmodium vivax . This type of parasite is common in Asia and Latin America. This type of parasite is able to survive in its host's body (liver) for several months or years.
- Plasmodium ovale . Unlike Falciparum and vivax, this type of parasite is relatively mild and rarely found.
- Plasmodium malariae . Symptoms due to Plasmodium malariae are relatively mild and usually new symptoms appear when the body has been infected for a long time
- Plasmodium knowlesi . This type of parasite infects humans through primates that have been bitten by Anopheles mosquitoes.
That's a brief explanation of malaria. Malaria requires proper treatment, if several symptoms appear as described, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment. Therefore, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of the surrounding environment and health to avoid disease.
Article written by dr. Dirga Sakti Rambe, M.Sc, Sp.PD (Internal Medicine Specialist at EMC Pulomas Hospital).