Defeating Malaria: Together We Can Make A Difference!

Malaria is a deadly disease transmitted through mosquito bites and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths yearly, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, on this World Malaria Day, it is possible to defeat Malaria through a range of strategies that involve prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, vaccination, education, and support for initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease.

What can be done in public health when all the parts come together, as shown during the last ten years? Malaria offers a compelling illustration of the potential for advancement. Since 2000, the world has achieved enormous strides against this illness, reducing mortality by 60% and certifying the elimination of Malaria in several nations. A century ago, Malaria was almost widespread; now, it has been eradicated from more than half of the UN member nations, which is a truly remarkable accomplishment. Here you have to learn about how to defeat Malaria on this World Malaria Day.

The potentially fatal parasitic illness known as Malaria is spread to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is one of the most deadly diseases in the world, causing over 400,000 deaths yearly, with most of them being children under five in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, defeating Malaria is possible, and it requires the joint efforts of individuals, organizations, governments, and communities.

Some Ways In Which We Can Make A Difference And Help Eradicate Malaria

Diagnosis

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history, recent travels, perform a physical exam, and prescribe blood tests to identify Malaria. Blood testing may reveal the following:

To determine if you have Malaria, the blood must contain the parasite present.

What sort of parasite that causes Malaria is the source of your symptoms?

• If the parasite that is infecting you is resistant to some drugs
• Whether the condition has any particularly negative side effects
• While some blood tests can yield findings in less than 15 minutes, certain blood tests might take several days to complete. Your doctor may prescribe extra diagnostic tests to rule out consequences based on your symptoms.

Treatment

In order to get rid of the parasite, prescription medications are used to treat Malaria.

• Exactly what kind of malaria parasite do you have
• How severe are your symptoms are
• No matter if you’re expecting medications

The Most Popular Anti-Malarial Medications Consist Of:

Phosphate of chloroquine: All parasites that are susceptible to chloroquine should be treated with it. However, due to parasite resistance in many parts of the world, chloroquine is no longer an effective treatment.

ACTs (combination treatments) based on artemisinin: ACT is an amalgamation of two or more medications that combat the malaria parasite in various ways. This is often the suggested treatment for chloroquine-resistant Malaria. Artesunate-mefloquine and artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem) are two examples.

Other typical anti-malarial medications include:

• Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil)
• Doxycycline with quinine sulfate (Qualaquin, Oracea, Vibramycin, etc.)
• Phosphate of primaquine

How May Malaria Be Avoided?

Drugs

• On this World Malaria Day, Malaria can also be avoided by using anti-malarial medications. Chemoprophylaxis is the term for this.
• Chemoprophylaxis eliminates the malaria parasite’s blood stage, preventing the disease’s symptoms.
• It is crucial to take anti-malarial medications before traveling to areas where there is a danger of contracting Malaria since they can cut the chance of getting the disease by up to 90%.
• The location of the traveler (certain regions have parasites that are resistant to specific medications), the type of anti-malarial medication provided, and other considerations.
• Age, pregnancy, and medical history in the family.
• Preventive anti-malarial medications are frequently recommended, including doxycycline, chloroquine, and an amalgam of atovaquone and proguanil.
• However, due to parasite resistance to particular medications, some anti-malarials can only be administered in specific regions worldwide. For instance, because Plasmodium falciparum is entirely resistant to chloroquine throughout Africa and Asia, it can only be used to prevent the disease in parts of South America.
• The majority of anti-malarial medication regimens must be begun before leaving for a region where Malaria is common. This makes it possible for the drug to build up in the body to therapeutic levels. Before traveling, it also allows time to check for any adverse effects.
• After returning home, a person must continue taking the anti-malarial to prevent Malaria during the incubation period.
• Intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) is administered to expectant mothers who live in locations with a moderate to high risk of contracting Malaria. This indicates they get anti-malarial medications regularly during pregnancy, often at each prenatal appointment beyond the first trimester.
• Infants living in moderate- to high-risk locations often get a monthly course of anti-malarials in addition to their regular medical treatment during the seasons when malaria transmission is at its highest.

Vaccines

• In the middle of 2015, the first malaria vaccine in the world, Mosquirix (also known as RTS, S), received approval for use in Africa to combat Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
• The malaria parasite cannot develop and grow in the liver, where it causes illness symptoms. Hence the vaccination prevents it from doing so.
• The highest protection was seen when the vaccine was administered to children between the ages of five and 18 months in three doses spaced one month apart, followed by a booster dose after 20 months, even though the vaccine’s long-term protection has not yet been confirmed.
• As the vaccine’s efficacy declined over time, it was discovered that the booster dosage was essential.
• Although vaccination is not regarded as a “magic cure” for Malaria, it is an essential component in creating future malaria vaccines.

Wrap Up:

Malaria remains a major public health challenge, especially in low-income countries. However, we can defeat Malaria with concerted efforts from individuals, organizations, governments, and communities. By embracing prevention measures, seeking early diagnosis and treatment, supporting research into vaccines, educating ourselves and others, and supporting initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease, we can make a real difference in the fight against Malaria on this World Malaria Day.