Teaching Village Health Workers/Educators in Angke Jeay Village. What is Malaria?

Transmission of Malaria  and Dengue

Prevention of Malaria and Dengue

MALARIA

Malaria is transmitted by the plasmodium parasite, which is injected into a person’s blood through the saliva of an infected mosquito. (These mosquitoes bite when after the sun goes down and more frequently found in the rural areas.)  It then travels to the liver where it will mature and reproduce. When the parasite matures, it will infect red blood cells until they burst. Then, newly developed parasite from the red blood cells will spread, and infect more red blood cells.

Signs and symptoms:  In most cases, the signs and symptoms of malaria will begin 8-25 days after the mosquito bite. However, those who have taken medication to prevent infection may have an extended incubation period. (Yes- you can still get malaria even though you have taken medication to prevent it.)When the infected red blood cells spread throughout the body, the cells will eventually die off. This can also lead to liver infection. Sometimes the infected red blood cells become "stickier" than usual and clot easily, which can affect blood flow to the brain. 

The severity of the signs and symptoms of malaria may depend upon three factors: the type of malaria, your immune system, and health of your spleen.

There are 5 types of malaria. These include P. Vivax, P. Malaria, P. Ovale, P. Falciparum, and P. Knowlesi.

During a malaria infection, red blood cells rapidly die, and the spleen may not be able to keep up with the demand, leading to sepsis and organ failure. Notice an enlarged spleen, which can happen when the spleen is overwhelmed by the amount of dead red blood cells and becomes enlarged.

The classical (but rarely observed) malaria attack lasts 6-10 hours. It consists of

a cold stage (sensation of cold, shivering)

a hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting; seizures in young children)

and finally a sweating stage (sweats, return to normal temperature, tiredness).

Classically (but infrequently observed) the attacks occur every second or third day.

More commonly, the patient presents with a combination of the following symptoms:

Fever (can be up to 104 degrees (40 C)

Chills

Sweats

Headaches

Nausea and vomiting

Body aches

General malaise

Diagnosis—You will need to get a rapid diagnostic blood test (RDT) as soon as you develop symptoms. If the initial diagnostic evaluation is negative, follow-up testing should be done each day for two more days.

Treatment—Medication such as Chloroquine
 http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/disease.html#uncomplicated

Morgan, MTW Intern & Nursing student--assisting VHW students as they teach class

Brittany, MTW Intern & Medical student-- assisting VHW students as they teach class