Global Impact of Malaria: Economic and Social Consequences

What is Malaria?

Plasmodium is a parasite that causes malaria, a dangerous and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is one of the infectious illnesses that is most common around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. A serious public health problem, malaria is thought to have affected 229 million people worldwide in 2019 alone, killing 409,000 people, predominantly children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa.

Humans have been affected by malaria for countless years; evidence of the illness has been discovered in Egyptian mummies dating back to 2000 BC. The word "malaria" is derived from the Italian words "mal" (bad) and "aria" (air). Its name reflects the widespread notion that breathing in the contaminated swamp and marsh air was the disease's primary cause.

Malaria continues to be a serious worldwide health issue, especially in low-income nations with little resources and ineffective healthcare systems. It has a huge negative impact on production, income, and education in addition to causing human pain and death. It also creates economic and social instability. Understanding malaria's causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention is crucial, as is supporting continuing efforts to contain and eradicate the illness.

Causes Of Malaria

There are various types of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria, with Plasmodium falciparum causing the disease's most severe and lethal forms. The parasite is spread when an infected mosquito bites a human; it enters the circulation through the insect's saliva, travels to the liver, and starts to proliferate there. Once again entering the bloodstream, the parasite infects red blood cells, causing them to rupture and release other parasites into the system.

The main method of spreading malaria is via being bitten by infected Anopheles mosquitoes, which are more active at night. These mosquitoes are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, notably in Africa, South Asia, and South America. They reproduce in stagnant water, such as puddles, ponds, and swamps. Moreover, malaria can be spread through sharing needles with an infected individual, receiving blood transfusions, or having an organ transplant.

Malaria risk can be impacted by a number of variables, including:

• Visit regions where malaria is endemic or common lacking defenses against the illness
• Insufficient mosquito netting or screens, for example, are examples of poor living conditions.
• During the hours of darkness or early morning when mosquitoes are most active, engage in outdoor activities
• weakened immune system as a result of various diseases or infections
• Pregnancy can raise both the mother's and the baby's risk of problems and unfavorable outcomes.

The likelihood of developing malaria can be decreased by being aware of these risk factors and following the proper preventative measures, such as using insecticide-treated bed nets, utilising antimalarial medicine, and wearing protective clothes.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Malaria

Symptoms Of Malaria : 

Within 7 to 30 days of contracting the parasite, malaria symptoms often start to manifest. The flu-like early symptoms might include fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint discomfort, exhaustion, and nausea. Sweating, diarrhea, stomach ache, and cough are among more symptoms that might occur. Malaria can be fatal when it results in severe organ failure, convulsions, and coma.

Diagnostic tests for Malaria:

A blood test is frequently used to diagnose malaria since it may show if the parasite is present in the blood. There are many different kinds of testing available, including molecular tests like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which may detect extremely low amounts of parasite DNA, microscopic inspection of blood smears, and quick diagnostic tests that employ a dipstick to find parasite antigens in the blood.

Malaria consequences: 

Malaria can result in a number of problems, especially in severe or untreated cases. The most frequent side effects are cerebral malaria, which develops when the parasite stops the blood arteries in the brain, resulting in seizures, comas, and brain damage, and anemia, which happens when the parasite destroys red blood cells. Low blood sugar, respiratory discomfort, and renal failure are possible further concerns. Premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage are all elevated risks for pregnant women who have malaria.

Malaria complications can be avoided, and the risk of mortality can be decreased, with early diagnosis and timely treatment. Hence, it is crucial to get medical help if you exhibit any malaria symptoms, especially if you have recently gone to a region where the disease is common.

Treatment and Prevention of Malaria

Antimalarial medications: 

Depending on the species of the parasite and the severity of the illness, malaria can be treated with a variety of antimalarial medications. The most often prescribed medications are quinine, chloroquine, and artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT). The effectiveness of these therapies may occasionally be hampered by drug resistance, necessitating the use of substitute medications. To guarantee that the infection is completely healed and to avoid the emergence of drug resistance, it is crucial to adhere to the suggested treatment plan and finish the prescribed medicine in its entirety.

Malaria prevention methods:

Preventive measures are essential in the battle against malaria. Many methods, such as the following, can aid in lowering the likelihood of developing the illness:

• Employing bed nets that have been treated with insecticides to prevent mosquito bites while you sleep
• applying insect repellant to skin that is exposed
• wearing long sleeves and long pants to reduce exposure to the skin
• removing standing water from around dwellings and from the surrounding area to lessen the number of places where mosquitoes can breed
• Spraying pesticides inside the home to kill insects
• using malaria prevention drugs before, during, and after visiting places where malaria is common.

Vaccines Of Malaria

Malaria vaccines are presently being developed, with the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine being the most advanced contender. Clinical trials have revealed that this vaccine offers a limited level of protection against malaria. The vaccine is not yet widely accessible, and its efficacy is limited, especially in young infants. The goal of ongoing research is to create vaccinations that can offer enduring protection against the disease while also being more efficient and widely available.

To sum up, in order to control and finally eradicate malaria as a hazard to public health, a mix of efficient treatment, preventative measures, and vaccine campaigns is required.