Malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoa and usually spread by certain mosquitoes called Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a significant global health concern that leads to roughly 250 million infections every year and results in over 600,000 deaths.
Symptoms usually begin after 7 to 15 days.
Symptoms
Symptoms of malaria include:
- fever
- chills
- headaches
- muscle aches
- myalgia
- general feeling of malaise
Risk for people
People of all ages can be at risk in places where malaria is not common but in regions where malaria is prevalent, children under five and pregnant women are most likely to get sick from i
How it spreads
Malaria germs can get into humans when an infected female mosquito bites them.
The illness can also be passed through blood transfusions, organ transplants, sharing needles, or from a pregnant mother to her baby before birth.
Vaccination and treatment
There are various medicines that can be used to treat malaria.
There are ongoing efforts to develop reliable vaccines against malaria.
Protective measures
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to:
- before travelling to countries with malaria, ask your doctor if preventive treatment is required and if yes, which one
- use mosquito bed nets, especially those treated with insecticides
- wear clothing that covers most of the body
- apply insect repellent on the parts of the skin that are visible