What is Malaria? Types, Symptoms, Treating, Preventing, and Protecting

 

Malaria is a serious illness. It's caused by tiny insects called mosquitoes that carry harmful things. These mosquitoes can give you something called a parasite, which is like a tiny bad germ called Plasmodium.

When they bite you, they put this parasite into your blood. Later, the parasite goes to your liver and then comes back to your blood. After that, it goes into the mosquitoes again, ready to make more people sick.

There are different kinds of parasites that can cause Malaria, and some can stay in your body for a long time.

 

Different Types of Malaria

There are four main types of Malaria:

1. Plasmodium Falciparum

2. Plasmodium Vivax

3. Plasmodium Ovali

4. Plasmodium Malaria

 

Plasmodium Vivax

This is the smallest type of Malaria. It can make you sick, but usually, you won't die from it. Healthy people can fight it off. It's the most common type and can stay in your body even after you get better.

 

Plasmodium malaria

This type doesn't make you very sick, but it can stay in your blood for a long time, sometimes a whole year.

 

Plasmodium ovale

This type is similar to Plasmodium Vivax. It hides in the liver and then comes back later to make you sick again.

 

Plasmodium Falciparum

This is the most dangerous type of Malaria, especially in Africa. It can make you very sick, and sometimes it can be deadly, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Malaria Symptoms

Malaria can make you feel:

- Cold

- Tired

- Weak

- Headache

- Body aches

- High fever

- Nausea and vomiting

- Diarrhea

 

If not treated, Malaria can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. It's important to get help if you have Malaria.

 

How Do You Get Malaria?

To know if you have Malaria, doctors can test your blood to check for the parasite.

 

Treating Malaria

Doctors can give you medicine to treat Malaria and help you get better. The type of medicine depends on the type of Malaria you have.

 

Preventing Malaria

To prevent Malaria, you can:

1. Take medicine to kill the parasites.

2. Use mosquito nets and bug sprays.

3. Cover your skin with clothes.

4. Use fans or air conditioning.

5. Stay clean and use soap.

6. Remove places where mosquitoes can breed.

 

If you have Malaria symptoms, it's important to get medical help quickly to avoid serious risks to your health. There are many places around the world where people work to fight Malaria and provide treatments.

 

How to Protect Yourself from Malaria

To stay safe from Malaria:

1. Take medicine to prevent Malaria.

2. Cover your skin, like your arms and legs.

3. Use nets on your bed.

4. Use bug spray.

5. Sleep with fans or air conditioning.

6. Use nets on doors and windows.

7. Stay clean and use soap.

 

Remember, Malaria can be dangerous, but you can protect yourself and get better with the right care.