Malaria

Symptoms of malaria can appear 1 to 2 weeks after infection with protozoa of the genus Plasmodium sp., And include severe headache, malaise, chills with tremors and fever that appears in a cyclic pattern, which appears every 2 to 2 weeks . 3 days, and relieves after 6 to 12 hours.

This infection is transmitted through the bite of the female mosquito of the genus Anopheles , which in Brazil is more common in the Amazon region, although it can occur in any of the other states.

Despite being generally mild to moderate, malaria can develop severe conditions, so diagnosis should be made as early as possible, as the correct and rapid treatment are the most appropriate ways to reduce the severity and mortality of this disease.

First symptoms

The first symptoms of malaria appear after about 9 to 14 days after the bite, which varies according to the species of Plasmodium sp. and the amount transmitted, in addition to the defense system of the infected person. In this period, microorganisms are reproducing inside the liver cells, causing no symptoms.

The first symptom that arises is a high fever, which can reach 40ºC and which appears in cycles, being a sign that the protozoan is destroying red blood cells. Other signs and symptoms that may indicate malaria are:

• Shivering and chills; Intense sweating; Pains throughout the body; Headache; Weakness; General malaise; Nausea and vomiting.

It is common for fever and the intensification of symptoms to occur suddenly every 2 to 3 days, for about 6 to 12 hours, during which time the red blood cells break and the parasites circulate in the bloodstream, a very characteristic situation of malaria.

However, disease patterns vary according to the type of malaria, whether it is complicated or not, and complications can be fatal.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral malaria

In some cases, the infection can develop serious complications, with cerebral malaria being the most common and important. Some symptoms that indicate cerebral malaria include:

• Stiff neck; Disorientation; Drowsiness; Convulsions; Vomiting |; State of coma.

Cerebral malaria can cause a risk of death and is commonly confused with other serious neurological diseases such as meningitis, tetanus, epilepsy and other diseases of the central nervous system.

Other complications of malaria include anemia, reduced platelets, kidney failure, jaundice and respiratory failure, which are also serious and should be monitored throughout the disease.

How to know if it's malaria

The diagnosis of malaria is made by microscopic analysis of the blood test, also known as thick gout. This test should be available at the health center or hospital, especially in areas most affected by malaria, and it is done whenever symptoms appear indicating the infection.

In addition, new immunological tests have been developed to facilitate and expedite the confirmation of malaria. If the result indicates that it really is malaria, the doctor may also order other tests to monitor and evaluate possible complications, such as blood count, urine test and chest X-ray.

How to treat malaria

The goal of malaria treatment is to destroy Plasmodium and prevent its transmission with antimalarial drugs. There are different treatment regimens, which vary according to the Plasmodium species, the patient's age, the severity of the disease and whether there are associated health conditions, such as pregnancy or other diseases.

The drugs used can be Chloroquine, Primaquine, Artemeter and Lumefantrine or Artesunate and Mefloquine. Children, babies and pregnant women can be treated with Quinine or Clindamycin, always in accordance with medical recommendations and hospital admission is usually suggested, as this is a serious and potentially fatal disease.

People who live in places where this disease is common can have malaria more than once. Babies and children are easily bitten by mosquitoes and can therefore develop this disease several times during their lives. It is important to remember that treatment should be started as soon as possible because there may be complications that can lead to death. Find out more details about how the treatment is done and how to recover faster.