Types of Malaria - Its Prevention and Treatment

Malaria is the disease which is caused by the Plasmodium parasite is endemic in parts of Asia, South America and especially Africa, where the severity is greater. Anyone traveling to these places can get it. Anyone living in or traveling to a country where there is risk of malaria disease. Currently, malaria is a problem of tropical or subtropical areas of Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Most black Africans show a natural resistance to certain species of malaria. Except this case, all individuals can become infected if they come into contact with the parasite using the mosquito.rnThe disease is characterized by producing high fever, chills , sweats , and headache . Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, jaundice (yellowing of the skin). They usually have anemia by destroying red blood cells by parasites. You can also see that the liver and spleen enlarged. If the condition is very serious it can also cause coma, kidney or respiratory failure and even death. Symptoms vary depending on the type of Plasmodium involved (there are four: falciparum, malaria, ovale, vivax ). The disease manifests itself differently in those affected who have never had previous contact with the parasite (as passengers) than those living in endemic areas known, this is in areas where malaria. In the former, the risk of having severe symptoms is much higher, and some patients have cerebral malaria which is accompanied by seizures and can cause death. In the later, condition may be much milder. Symptoms usually start between 15-20 days after being bitten by the mosquito, the parasite although some varieties can take up to eight months in the face. Cycles of chills and fever usually last three or four days. If it is not treated the patients can also die. In case of overcoming the acute phase of disease relapse can occur, appearing every three or four weeks (hence formerly called ague or fever quarter). Choosing the right therapy The treatment used depends on the type of malaria where the disease was acquired. Also keep in mind if the affected patient is a child or a pregnant woman, since many drugs cannot be administered to these individuals. Therapy should begin as soon as possible, although the disease is mild, to prevent complications and death. The best treatment for malaria is prevention. All individuals traveling to areas at risk, including pregnant women should receive prophylactic treatment. For travelers to risk areas should take the recommended therapy for one week before reaching the area until 4 after returning from her. Even taking preventive medications travelers may become infected, so to avoid mosquito bites with repellents against insect, using clothes that completely cover the hands and legs and using screens on windows. There are several drugs that can be used for the treatment or prevention of malaria: mefloquine, doxycycline, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, or Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil combination) and may be recommended instead of the drugs mentioned, depending on the destination site and the possibility of mefloquine resistance. The main drug used for protection against malaria was chloroquine, but due to increased resistance to it, currently its use is restricted to areas where they are present Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae.