Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Female Anopheles mosquito.
Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite, When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells.
Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open.
CAUSES OF MALARIAÂ
Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites you.
There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans:
?Plasmodium vivax
?P. ovale
?P. malariae
?P. falciparum: causes a more severe form of the disease and those who contract this form of malaria have a higher risk of death. An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria.
Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through:
?an organ transplant
?a transfusion
?use of shared needles or syringes
The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time.
SYMPTOMS OF MALARIAÂ
?shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe
?high fever
?profuse sweating
?headache
?nausea
?vomiting
?abdominal pain
?diarrhea
?anemia
?muscle pain
?convulsions
?coma
?bloody stools
TREATMENTÂ
Antimalarial drugs work by killing the parasite present in the affected red blood cells.
There are several antimalarial drugs that differ in their structure with each working uniquely to kill the parasite.
?Artemether/lumefantrine: (Coartem) Inhibits nucleic acid and protein synthesis and the parasite through endoperoxide or possibly by inhibiting beta-hematin formation.
?Artesunate: Contains endoperoxide bridge activated by heme iron and leads to oxidative stress; it inhibits protein and nucleic acid synthesis and ultrastructural changes and reduces parasite growth and survival.
?Atovaquone: Inhibits the electron transport chain at cytochrome bc1 complex and collapses parasite mitochondrial membrane in Plasmodium.
?Atovaquone/proguanil: Disrupts electron transport and collapses the mitochondria, whereas proguanil inhibits enzyme dihydrofolate reductase essential for reproduction of the parasite.
?Chloroquine: Acts against erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium; however, the exact mechanism of action is unknown.
?Hydroxychloroquine sulfate: Exact action against Plasmodium is unknown. As it is a weak base, it may affect acid vesicles of the parasite and inhibit polymerization of heme. It may also inhibit other essential enzymes.
?Mefloquine: Structural analog of quinine; although its exact mechanism is unknown, it kills schizonts in the blood. This may increase intravesicular pH in parasites.
?Pyrimethamine: Folic acid antagonist, selectively inhibiting plasmodial form of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme and reducing the production of folic acid required for nucleic acid synthesis in the parasite.
?Quinidine: Builds up in the food vacuole of the parasite and forms a complex with heme and starves the Plasmodium to death.
?Quinine: Although the mechanism of action of this drug is unknown; quinine may disrupt Plasmodium DNA transcription/replication and interferes with the digestion of hemoglobin. This leads to starvation and death of the parasite.
PREVENTION OF MALARIAÂ
?being aware of the risk
?preventing mosquito bites, for example, by using mosquito net, insect repellant and covering the arms and legs
?taking antimalarial tablets when traveling to an area where malaria occurs
?getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment if someone thinks they may have the disease
?administering the vaccine to children who live in places where malaria is endemic
?using a LONG LASTING INSECTICIDE TREATED NET
We at Troop Pharmaceuticals Ltd, have our Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets available in various sizes from the smallest bed to the king sized bed.
If mosquitoes trouble you at night, you should seriously think about using our mosquito net. It is effective in keeping mosquitoes away and it’s safe!
Here are some main advantages of using our mosquito net.
1. It’s Long Lasting
Our Insecticide Treated Nets are Long Lasting which means they can last for 3-5 years or survive 20 washes before they lose their effectiveness! The texture is also cotton which prevents heat when being used and doesn’t tear easily!!
2. Improves Your Sleep Quality
If mosquitoes and bugs are present in your room, you can have a tough time falling and staying asleep at night. Lack of sleep on a consistent basis, in turn, can be a big health hazard. It is linked to several health conditions, including, but not limited to, high blood pressure and depression.
While many people think a mosquito net is uncomfortable, if anything, the opposite is true. Our mosquito net will ensure that these pesky, little creatures that feed on your blood don’t bother you at night, allowing you to sleep peacefully every night.
3. It is pure cotton
This cotton texture makes it heat resistant and durable without any tear for as long as it is used. se
Click here to shop for your Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net http://backup.troopharm.com/product-category/insecticide-treated-net/
Written by: Josphine Wuraola
