The Cold-Blooded Effects of Malaria: How to Prevent?

If you are planning to travel to any tropical or sub-tropical region during the remainder of the summer, one thing to consider taking with you is immunity. In these tropical and sub-tropical regions (Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central and South America), there exists, as many know, mosquitoes and other kinds of parasites that carry diseases that can be easily transmitted through a simple bite.

            One of these diseases is Malaria. It is a mosquito-borne virus that once transmitted can lead to high-fevers, anemia, flu-like symptoms, and at its most severe, brain infection, kidney and liver failure. Many attempts to prevent the epidemiology of the disease have been taken but in less developed countries, it has still remained prevalent. According to the World Health Organization’s report The World Malaria Report 2012, in 2010, there were more than 219,000,000 reported cases of malaria which resulted in the deaths of more than 660,000 people worldwide.

            Malaria, though its effects can be reduced depending on its severity, can lead to death if no treatment is given to the individual. Once malaria is transmitted through the mosquito bite, it travels through the bloodstream and into the liver where the disease further develops and multiplies amongst red blood cells. The first signs of symptoms begin to appear on average between 8 days to 4 weeks after infection. Once the destruction of the red blood cells takes place, anemia develops. Other symptoms that appear in the early stages are high fever, headaches, joint pains, sweating, hemoglobin in urine (red urination), vomiting, convulsions, and even coma.

            Signs of malaria include an enlarged liver or spleen during a physical examination. In later stages after malaria has gone on to infect the individual through the bloodstream, neurological damage may take place along with respiratory distress during which an individual may experience metabolic acidosis (when the body produces too much acid) in the respiratory system, noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema (when the left ventricle of the heart fails to remove blood from the pulmonary circulation), severe anemia, and the inflammation of the lungs. An individual may begin to suffer decreased consciousness, breathing problems, and significant weakness to the point where the individual may not have the strength to walk. All this if not given attention in time can lead to liver failure, brain disease, and eventually death.

            Vaccination for malaria is still in the development phase, medication is being provided for prevention of the disease. The type of medication an individual will need to take will all depend where they are planning to travel. Contact with your health care provider is a must if you are planning to visit a region where the disease is prevalent and should be taken into consideration at least two weeks before travel. There are reports that state that the World Health Organization claims that a licensed and effective vaccine should be ready by 2015. For now, effective medication is the way to go for prevention. For more information, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment.