INTRODUTION
Malaria is one of the most severe global public health problems in the entire world with high concentration of malaria case in the sub-Sahara Africa where Nigeria happens to be have one of the greatest number of malaria cases. It is a parasitic disease caused by a female anopheles mosquito who in the process of betting its victims introduces the parasite from the mosquito Silva into the human body which after day’s metamorphosis into the illness (malaria).
The advast effect of malaria can lead to serious damage of the body tissues and sometimes death if not diagnosed earlier and properly treated on time therefore, it is advisable that appropriate majors are taken to prevent and or cure malaria in other to prevent serious damage to the body system. Over the years malaria has succeeded in becoming the thing of global concern to the whole wide world especially to areas where there are most case of malaria disease and has been regarded by the WHO as a menace as a result its prevalent death hence countries and health organizations have settled for measure to prevent and cub malaria.
In 2015 the world health organization (WHO) populated a report of malaria case with about 438000 death estimate all attributed to malaria. Globally, there have been about approximately 214 million cases of malaria occurring annually and 3.2 billion people at the risk of infection with most concentration from the sub-Sahara Africa where an estimated 90% of all malaria death cases occur although this is 30% less compared to the previous years. Sadly Nigeria suffers the world greatest malaria burden with an approximate of 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths reported annually that is to say 30% of the total malaria burden in Africa while 97% of the total population is at risk of infection.
In order to cub the prevailing malaria menace the world health organization established a goal of reducing malaria cases and death by 75% between 2005-2015 this has however seen the rate of malaria drop drastically by 30% globally and 30% in Africa also a program by the national malaria control program (NMCP) initiated in 2008 by the Nigeria government to cub malaria adopted a specific plan the goal which is to reduce 50% of malaria burden by 2013.
While malaria awareness are ongoing by various organization it is also important to note that malaria is preventable and at the same time curable therefore it is expedient to take appropriate personal measure to prevent malaria.
This post is targeted at creating more awareness and providing enlightenment as to the prevalence and risk factors of malaria and how to generally improve our health life and possible ways of preventing scenario that will lead to malaria and more so to continue to educate ourselves the steps to take once a case of malaria is detected.
CAUSES OF MALARIA
It is a common knowledge that malaria disease is been caused by a mosquito. well if you have heard that before it is not far from the truth though malaria is been caused by a specific type and species of mosquito. Malaria is caused by a parasitic protozoans usually a group of single celled microorganisms which belong to the plasmodium type, the parasite is carried by the female anopheles mosquito which during the processing biting the victim introduces the parasites from its Saliva into the person’s blood vessels the parasite will in turn travel straight to the liver where they mature and multiply after which it will begin to infect and destroy the red blood cell.
Its takes seven to thirty days incubation period before the symptoms of malaria starts manifesting following infection. This though depends on your body immune system, those who have taken antimalarial medications as prevention might take them longer time before the symptoms starts manifesting. There are about five species of plasmodium that can cause, effect and be spread by humans with p. falciparum being the most deadly of them while p.vivax, p.ovale and p. malaria causes a milder form of malaria and lastly p. knowlesi which rarely cause diseases in humans.
Each of this diseases during manifestation manifest all most the same form of symptom which is usually flu-like symptoms. However we shall not be going into details explanations of the different type of malaria as this post is targeted at creating awareness .
SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA
Malaria disease are usually accompanied with the following symptoms
Fever
Tiredness
Vomiting
Headache
Shivering
Joint pain
General weakness
Jaundice
While in severe cases you may experience
Yellow skin
Seizures
Coma
Anaemia
kidney failure
Low blood sugar
Or even death
When patient begins to show these symptoms it is advisable you see a doctor
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
One of the first approach to curing malaria is by prevention as this remains the safest and best way and like the popular saying goes prevention is better than cure. We shall be looking at the various measure to take in other to prevent malaria however if by any chance you contact malaria disease it is important you see a medical specialist preferably a doctor than engaging in self-medication.
KEEP YOUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN: dirty environment is said to be inhabitant to mosquito hence dirty environment attracts mosquito and mosquito happens to be the carrier of malaria parasite therefore it is advisable to always keep our environment clean by removing dirty and stagnate waters, disposing of waste bins, clearing of bushes, removal of spider webs and possibly fumigation.
USE OF MOSQUITO NETS
Mosquito nets are leather like materials produced essentially for the purpose of keeping mosquitos away by obstructing their easy passage inside the net. It comes in various sizes and shapes with tiny openings to aid air ventilation, most mosquito nets are treated with insecticides or mosquito repellant to prevent and kill mosquito before they can even make it in through the openings. Mosquito nets can be obtained free from primary health care as part of the fight against malaria and if not you can get from a store at an affordable rate however always check the chemical concentration before use.
USE OF INSECT REPELLANT
This are instrument that has been design with various chemical composure to repel the attack of mosquito, they come in various designs and sizes and at times are applied on the skin
USE OF ANTIMALARIA DRUGS
When living in a malaria prone area it is expedient to take antimalarial drugs from time to time as this has been produce to prevent malaria by making the body immune to the parasite.
CONSULT A DOCTOR
When any of the above symptoms begin to manifest, it is advisable to see a primary care doctor, pediatrician as well as infectious disease specialist
Document source, 2, 3, 4