By Faozat Aragbaye

Malaria is a life-threatening disease typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry Plasmodium parasite.
Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites can live.
CAUSES
Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites someone. There are four types of malaria parasites that can infect humans: Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum.
P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease, and those who contact this form of malaria have a higher risk of death. An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth.
TRANSMISSION
Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through:
· Mother to an unborn child
· An organ transplant
· Blood transfusions
· Shared needles or syringes.
RISK FACTORS
The biggest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or visit areas where the disease is common.
Risks of more- severe disease
People at increased risks of serious disease include:
· Young children and infants
· Older adults
· Travellers coming from areas with no malaria.
· Pregnant women and their unborn children.
Poverty, lack of knowledge, and or no access to health care can also contribute to malaria deaths worldwide.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of malaria typically develop within ten days to four weeks following the infection, in some cases symptoms may develop later. Malaria symptoms is divided into two: uncomplicated and severe malaria.
Uncomplicated malaria- symptoms of uncomplicated malaria typically last 6 to 10 hours and recur every second day. In uncomplicated malaria, symptoms include the followings:
· a sensation of cold with shivering
· fever, headaches and vomiting
· seizures sometimes occur in younger people
· sweats, followed by return to normal temperature, with tiredness.
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 sins of anaemia
· clinical jaundice and evidence of vital organ dysfunction.
Severe malaria can be fatal without treatment.
DIAGNOSIS
In diagnosing malaria, the doctor will review the medical history, conduct a physical examination and order blood tests. Blood tests are the only way to confirm a malaria diagnosis. Early diagnosis is critical for recovery from malaria.
TREATMENT
Treatment aims to eliminate the Plasmodium parasite from the bloodstream. Those without symptoms may be treated for infection to reduce the risk of disease transmission in the surrounding population. The types of drugs and the length of treatment will vary depending on:
· the type of malaria parasite.
· the severity of the symptoms
· the age
· pregnancy status
Medication
The most common antimalaria drugs include:
· Artemisin-based combination therapies (ACTs). ACTs are, in may cases, the first line treatment for malaria. There are several different types of ACTs. Examples include artemeter-lumefantrine (Coartem and artemeter-amodiaquine. Each ACT is a combination of two or more that work against the malaria parasite in different ways.
· Chloroquine phosphate. Chloroquine is the preferred treatment for any parasite that is sensitive to the drug. But in many parts of the world, the parasites that cause malaria are resistant to chloroquine and the drug is longer an effective treatment.
Other common antimalaria drugs include:
i) Combination of atovaquone and proguanil.
ii) Quinine sulphate with docycycline.
iii) Mefloquine.
iv) Primaquine phosphate.
COMPLICATIONS
Malaria can cause a number of threatening complications. The following may occur:
· Cerebral malaria. Parasite filled blood cells block small vessels to the brain (cerebral malaria), brain damage may occur. Cerebral malaria may cause seizures and coma.
· Breathing problems. Accumulated fluid in the lungs can make it difficult to breath.
· Organ failure. Malaria can cause the kidneys or liver to fail, or the spleen to rupture.
· Anaemia. Malaria damages red blood cells, which can result in anaemia.
· Low blood sugar. Severe forms of malaria itself can cause low blood sugar, as can quinine- one of the common medications used to combat malaria. Very low blood sugar can result can result in coma or death.
PREVENTION
For most people living in an endemic area, it’s necessary to take preventive measures, these include:
· Covering of skin .
· Applying insect repellant to skin and clothing.
· Sleeping under treated bed nets.