Awareness - Malaria
Awareness - Malaria
Monsoon brings lot of joy in our lives as a result of respite from extreme heat
season it follows but the misery it
brings along in form of disease is somewhat inevitable and leaves behind a host
of illnesses and Vector borne diseases, some of which can be life threatening
Malaria:
Malaria is one among the diseases that may easily affect the common
people during the season of monsoon. The malaria is spread by the mosquito called
as anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are actually females. The male
mosquitoes won't do any harm. The monsoon season is the perfect season for them
to lay eggs and to breed. The untidy surroundings make it easier for them to
breed. This is the worst disease that affects several thousand people a year
and takes them to death.
Causes of
Malaria:
A mosquito causes an infection by a bite. First, sporozoites (infective
cells developed in Mosquito’s salivary) enter the bloodstream, and migrate to
the liver. They infect liver cells, where they multiply into merozoites (form
of malaria parasite that invades red blood cells), rupture the liver cells, and
return to the bloodstream. Then, the merozoites infected blood cells, where
they develop into ring forms, trophozoites (Protozoan in its early growing
stages) and schizonts (cell developed from trophozoites) that in turn produce
further merozoites. Sexual forms are also produced, which, if taken up by a
mosquito, will infect the insect and continue the life cycle.
Common Mosquito Breeding Ground:
Symptoms
of Malaria:
The symptoms of malaria typically begin 8–25 days
following infection; however, symptoms may occur later in those who have taken
antimalarial medications as prevention. Initial manifestations of the disease
common to all malaria species are similar to flu-like symptoms and can resemble
other conditions such as Blood Poisoning, Stomach inflammation and viral
diseases. The presentation may include
* Repeated Fever
* Shivering
* weakness
* joints and muscle pains
* vomiting
Preventive
Measures of Malaria:
Ø Prevent mosquito bites. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an
infected Anopheles mosquito; these mosquitoes usually bite between dusk and
dawn.
Ø If
possible, remain indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak
biting period.
Ø If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a
pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and
night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.
Ø Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, when you go outdoors.
Use
insect repellent when you go outdoors. Apply insect repellent to skin not
covered by clothing. Use insect repellents that contain DEET
(diethylmethyltoluamide) for the best protection
“Monsoon thrills but Malaria Kills”
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