Malaria in campus by @delightharris

Greetings great minds and welcome to my post. Today, i will like to make a post on Malaria and how it affects ones health. The reason behind this post is due to the high rate of malaria affecting students in campus. It is quite alarming, because malaria is a deadly disease that affects the body systems, making it gradually loss function.

The aim of this article is to enable not only students, but everyone who reads through, understand the disease condition, Malaria, and how to prevent and manage it if contracted.

INTRODUCTION

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Malaria is an infection that occurs when there is an invasion of the bloodstream by by a specie or species of a malaria parasite. Malaria is caused by by the parasitic microorganism called plasmodium. However, four different species of plasmodium causes malaria and these species includes;

1. Plasmodium vivax

2. Plasmodium ovale

3. Plasmodium malariae

4. Plasmodium falciparum

These parasites are found in the body of a female anopheles mosquito. When the mosquito bites and sucks blood out of an individual, it deposites the malaria parasite into the blood stream of the individual.
Malaria is said to occur when either of these parasite enters and invade the blood stream. When the parasite enters into the body, it takes 10-14days for it to incubate. During the incubation period, these parasite attacks the blood cells (white blood cells and mainly the red blood cells) resulting in Anaemia.

After the incubation period, the individual affected will start having signs and symptoms like;

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• A feeling if not being okay (discomfort)

• Body and joint ache

• General malaise

• Head and back ache

• Fever associated with rigor (in some cases)

• Loss of appetite

However, In severe cases of malaria, the individual will start feeling like vomiting. The signs and symptoms in severe cases includes;

• Nausea and vomiting

• Mild or severe anaemia associated with occasional jaundice

• Increased temperature

• The individual will have a high respiratory rate.

As said earlier, malaria affects the body, and If malaria is left untreated, it can cause a variety of disease condition and ultimately death. It can cause;

• Seizures

• Cerebral malaria resulting to brain damage

• Haemolysis( constant destruction of red blood cells) leading to anaemia

• Systemic disturbance like vomiting, dehydration, swelling of the chest, electrolyte imbalance e.t.c

• Kidney failure

• Depression

• Delayed wound healing due to the attacks of the parasite on the platelets

• Hypoglycemia (low body sugar)

• Ultimately, death

PREVENTION OF MALARIA
The spread of malaria can he prevented in many ways which includes;

• Keeping the environment clean

• Don't allow any stagnant water because stagnant waters are good places for the mosquito to lay it's egg

• Sleep under a mosquito net

• Cover the windows and doors with a net

• Wear long sleeved clothings to protect the skin.

• Always use mosquito repellent

TREATMENT OF MALARIA
It is necessary to know when you have malaria, and early treatment is very important. Your health care provider will have to prescribe some Medications for you in other to combact the parasite.

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However, the type of malaria medication prescribed is dependent on the type of parasite that invades the bloodstream.
Some Medications are given as a combined therapy with other medications to eradicate the parasite.
However, in Nigerian campuses, there are some places where there is no doctor or any health practitioner around, The malaria medication to take after confirming you have malaria includes;

• Artemisinin (a combination of artesunate and Arthemeter). This is a combined therapy.

OR

• Arthemeter and lumefactrine combination. 4 tabs daily x3/7

OR

• Artesunate and Clindamycin at a dose of 10mg per body weight bd x1/52

OR

Quinine 10mg per body weight(kg) bd 3/7 with Clindamycin 10mg per body weight bd 1/52

Medications can cure you of malaria

CONCLUSION

Malaria is a parasitic infection, not a viral or bacterial infection, that attacks the blood stream, and causing harm to the body. It can be prevented by practicing safe hygiene and can be treated by combined therapy due to some malaria parasites are resistant to single medications.

Thank you for reading through, you can ask questions if you don't understand anything. Dont forget to resteem for others to gain this knowledge you've gained and upvote if you find it educative and interesting.

best wishes!!!
@delightharris

Cc:
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