Greetings Steemians!!
I actually woke up feeling feverish with a little head ache,i thought it was because of cold since it rained all day.
I tried to walk but it was like someone used a pestle to hit my head, I felt so terrible,i was vomiting, my head was aching, my back was aching, everywhere was aching. So my friend who came over later at night said it was malaria I should drink cooked lemon grass with lime that I would be fine, she is into herbs, I call her madam herbalist, most of my close friends understand what I mean, lol.
I took it before going to bed,i started to feel warm but few minutes later, instead of it reducing the pain, it doubled, I couldn't move, couldn't eat, couldn't drink even water, just laid on my bed,staring at her face. She also took the drink.
I decided to go for test, he asked if I'm on any herbal treatment and I said I took lemon grass, and lime,and paracetamol and the doctor said I had malaria and typhoid, that the suppose herb made the illness awaken, that some people's body ain't good for herbs and besides I also combined herbs and English drug, I needed to wait for a full day before I start proper medication,so I waited but the pain was much to wait for the next day, so I decided to start treatment without letting him know because the day after I had an examination to take.
What is Malaria?
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Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite.
It is transmitted to humans through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito.
Malaria is passed on by the Anopheles mosquito.
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Malaria is passed on by the Anopheles mosquito.
Over 100 types of Plasmodium parasite can infect a variety of species. They replicate at different rates, and this affects how quickly the symptoms escalate, and the severity of the disease.
Five types of Plasmodium parasite can infect humans. They are found in different parts of the world. Some cause a more severe type of malaria than others.
Once an infected mosquito bites a human, the parasites multiply in the host's liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells.
In some places, malaria can be treated and controlled with early diagnosis. However, some countries lack the resources to do this effectively.
Fast facts on malaria:
Here are some key points about the malaria. More detail is in the main article.
Malaria is typically spread by mosquitoes.
Symptoms resemble those of flu, but, without treatment, the effects can sometimes be long-term and fatal.
Travelers, hikers, and campers can protect themselves with medication, pest control, clothing, and nets.
Symptoms
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Malaria symptoms can be classified into two categories: uncomplicated and severe malaria.
Uncomplicated malaria
This is diagnosed when symptoms are present, but there are no signs to indicate severe infection or dysfunction of the vital organs.
This form can become severe malaria if left untreated, or if the host has poor or no immunity.
Symptoms of uncomplicated malaria typically last 6 to 10 hours and recur every second day. Some strains of the parasite can have a longer cycle or cause mixed symptoms.
As symptoms resemble those of flu, they may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in areas where malaria is less common.
In uncomplicated malaria, symptoms progress as follows, through cold, hot, and sweating stages:
A sensation of cold with shivering
fever, headaches, and vomiting
seizures sometimes occur in younger people with the disease
sweats, followed by a return to normal temperature, with tiredness
In areas where malaria is common, many patients recognize the symptoms as malaria and treat themselves without visiting a doctor.
Severe malaria
In severe malaria, clinical or laboratory evidence shows signs of vital organ dysfunction.
Symptoms of severe malaria include:
fever and chills
impaired consciousness
prostration, or adopting a prone position
multiple convulsions
deep breathing and respiratory distress
abnormal bleeding and signs of anemia
clinical jaundice and evidence of vital organ dysfunction
Severe malaria can be fatal without treatment.
Causes
Malaria happens when a bite from the female Anopheles mosquito infects the body with Plasmodium. Only the Anopheles mosquito can transmit malaria.
The successful development of the parasite within the mosquito depends on several factors, the most important being humidity and ambient temperatures.
When an infected mosquito bites a human host, the parasite enters the bloodstream and lays dormant within the liver.
The host will have no symptoms for an average of 10.5 days, but the malaria parasite will begin multiplying during this time.
The new malaria parasites are then released back into the bloodstream, where they infect red blood cells and multiply further. Some malaria parasites remain in the liver and are not released until later, resulting in recurrence.
An unaffected mosquito becomes infected once it feeds on an infected individual. This restarts the cycle.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is critical for a patient's recovery.
Anyone showing signs of malaria should be tested immediately.
The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly advise confirmation of the parasite through microscopic laboratory testing or by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), depending on the facilities available.
No combination of symptoms can reliably distinguish malaria from other causes, so a parasitological test is vital for identifying and managing the disease.
In some malaria-endemic areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa, the disease's severity can cause mild immunity in a large proportion of the local population.
As a result, some people carry the parasites in their bloodstream but do not fall ill.
Treatment
Treatment aims to eliminate the Plasmodium parasite from the patient's bloodstream.
Those without symptoms may be treated for infection to reduce the risk of disease transmission in the surrounding population.
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is recommended by the WHO to treat uncomplicated malaria.
Artemisinin is derived from the plant Artemisia annua, better known as sweet wormwood. It is known for its ability to rapidly reduce the concentration of Plasmodium parasites in the bloodstream.
ACT is artemisinin combined with a partner drug. The role of artemisinin is to reduce the number of parasites within the first 3 days of infection, while the partner drugs eliminate the rest.
Expanding access to ACT treatment worldwide has helped reduce the impact of malaria, but the disease is becoming increasingly resistant to the effects of ACT.
In places where malaria is resistant to ACT, treatment must contain an effective partner drug.
The WHO has warned that no alternatives to artemisinin are likely to become available for several years.
Prevention
There are several ways to keep malaria at bay.
Vaccination
Research to develop safe and effective global vaccines for malaria is ongoing, with one vaccine already licensed for use in Europe. No vaccine is yet licensed in the U.S.
It is essential to seek medical attention for suspected symptoms of malaria as early as possible.
Prevention: Advice for travelers
Travelers to places where malaria is prevalent should take precautions, for example, using mosquito nets.
Travelers to places where malaria is prevalent should take precautions, for example, using mosquito nets.
While malaria is not endemic to the U.S., travel to many countries around the world entails a risk.
The WHO points out that these are not harmful for people, as the concentration of pesticide is only strong enough to kills mosquitoes.
While away, travelers should, where possible, avoid situations that increase the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. Precautions include taking an air-conditioned room, not camping by stagnant water, and wearing clothes that cover the body at times when mosquitoes are most likely to be around.
For a year after returning home, the traveler may be susceptible to symptoms of malaria. Donating blood may also not be possible for some time.
TYPHOID FEVER
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What is typhoid fever?
Typhoid fever is an acute illness associated with fever caused by the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria. It can also be caused by Salmonella paratyphi, a related bacterium that usually causes a less severe illness. The bacteria are deposited in water or food by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area.
How Do People Get Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is contracted by drinking or eating the bacteria in contaminated food or water. People with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. The bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
About 3%-5% of people become carriers of the bacteria after the acute illness. Others suffer a very mild illness that goes unrecognized. These people may become long-term carriers of the bacteria -- even though they have no symptoms -- and be the source of new outbreaks of typhoid fever for many years.
How Is Typhoid Fever Diagnosed?
After the ingestion of contaminated food or water, the Salmonella bacteria invade the small intestine and enter the bloodstream temporarily. The bacteria are carried by white blood cells in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, where they multiply and reenter the bloodstream. People develop symptoms, including fever, at this point. Bacteria invade the gallbladder, biliary system, and the lymphatic tissue of the bowel. Here, they multiply in high numbers. The bacteria pass into the intestinal tract and can be identified in stool samples. If a test result isn't clear, blood or urine samples will be taken to make a diagnosis.
What Are the Symptoms of Typhoid Fever?
The incubation period is usually 1-2 weeks, and the duration of the illness is about 3-4 weeks. Symptoms include:
Poor appetite
Headaches
Generalized aches and pains
Fever as high as 104 degrees Farenheit
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Chest congestion develops in many people, and abdominal pain and discomfort are common. The fever becomes constant. Improvement occurs in the third and fourth week in those without complications. About 10% of people have recurrent symptoms after feeling better for one to two weeks. Relapses are actually more common in individuals treated with antibiotics
Everything written here about Malaria and Typhoid is gotten from the reference link below, I'm still in my recovery stage but I wanted to share something and in my findings I got to know only "female"mosquito's bite, suck and spread malaria.
Like why are they so wicked na, you bite me finish still infect me😨🙄🤒🙆
Thanks for reading.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670.php