Symptoms of Malaria

The symptoms are seen within 7 – 18 days depending upon the infecting parasite

• Chills sensation of cold and shivering
• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Sweating in the night
• Joint pain
• Sometimes seizures occur in young children

If it is not treated at the right time it can lead to complications like

• Severe anemia
• Jaundice
• Organ dysfunction
• Respiratory distress
• Hemoglobin in urine with renal failure

Risk - nearly half the world's population is at a risk from malaria. In 2015, 91 countries had ongoing malaria transmission.
Diagnosis –Early diagnosis reduces the risk of the disease. Malaria is diagnosed by microscopy i.e. microscopic examination of blood film or rapid diagnostic tests (RTD).
Prevention –controlling the vector is the main way to prevent the transmission of malaria.
For individual protection, mosquito repellent creams can be used. Commonly two forms of preventive measure are described by WHO.

• Insecticide treated mosquito nets(ITN'S) – mosquito nets helps keep the mosquito away from people. They are treated with insecticides effective against mosquitoes
• Indoor residual spraying – spraying of insecticides on the walls of the houses

Others preventive measures have to be taken like –

• Decreasing the availability of open water
• Not letting the formation of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed
• Adding substances/chemicals that inhibit the growth of mosquitoes in standing water

Recent developments in the area of combating malaria –the struggle to end malaria has taken a new global phase. Aliko Dangote – president of Dangote group, Bill gates – co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and Ray Chambers - the United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for health in agenda 2030 and for malaria and six other influential and prominent personalities have announced a launch of END MALARIA COUNCIL at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.