Malaria

Malaria belongs to the group of transmissive diseases and is characterized with attacks of fever and anemia. Agent of malaria is haemamoeba and its carrier is bloodsucking female of mosquito which belongs to anopheles family. Source of infection is diseased person and infection carrier. The disease is prevailing in South-East Asia and Africa.

Symptoms and course
The duration of incubation period in the course of vivax malaria is 14 – 20 days on south, 7 – 14 days on north; in the course of tropical malaria it is 8 – 16 days. Patients complain on the next symptoms: weakness, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, high temperature, headache, pains in muscles and joints. This lasts 2 – 3 days. Then occurs attack of fever. Typical attack starts with chill: cold limbs, top of nose and lips are livid. In 30 – 40 minutes chill is alternated with fever. Temperature rises up to 40 C.  Common condition of patient worsens. Patient suffers from anxiety, panting, strong headache, dizziness, pains in loin and limbs. Skin is dry, often has gray color, tongue has white fur.

Abdomen palpation is painful. In 6 – 12 hours fever is altered with sweating. Temperature greatly drops to subnormal. Then between these attacks comes a pause duration of which is connected with rhythmicity of asexual reproduction of malarian parasites in human body.

Attacks may occur at any time of day. The number of paroxysms in primary malaria is 8 – 12. In some cases parasites die and patient recovers, in other cases circulation in blood of causative agent persists which makes possible early and late backsets. With first attacks of malaria size of liver and spleen are increased.

More severely courses tropical malaria which may result in development of malarial coma (severe common intoxication, impairment of consciousness) after parasites affect central nervous system.

Recognition
The diagnosis is made on the grounds of clinico-laboratorial tests and epidemiological anamnesis. People with suspicions on malaria should make microscopic investigation of blood. Detection of haemamoebas is the only confirmation. Also serological methods are used.

Treatment
Treatment of malaria is aimed to stop acute attacks and to destroy gametal cells (sexual cells of malarian parasites) in order to stop transmission of infection and further backsets. Doctor prescribes next medications: quinine, primaquine, chloroquine.