The 2015 WHO- UNICEF report ranks India at no 3 amongst the 15 countries that have the highest number of cases of malaria and malarial deaths. India is amongst the countries that lag in its quota of decreasing incidences of malaria as compared to the rest of the world. The most astonishing and embarrassing fact is that children form a huge chunk of malarial victims. A global fact is that a child dies of a mosquito spread disease every 30 seconds of which malaria is the leading cause. Now comes the question of the vaccination, causes, symptoms of malaria and its treatment in kids. Here is a list of malarial facts that you need to know as a protector of your child.
1. Malaria is a mosquito borne disease spread by parasitic protozoans of the plasmodium type.
2. It is spread by infected female anopheles mosquitoes.
3. There are 5 species of plasmodium that can cause malaria in humans
4. The incubation period for each of these types of malarial infections are as follows
5. Symptoms of malaria include fevers, headaches, chills, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, dry cough, muscle and or back pain, enlarged spleen etc. The symptoms are similar to those of other infections caused by other viruses and bacteria like the common flu, dengue, etc. Depending on the type of plasmodium one is infected with the symptoms may be appear in cycles of 48-72 hours. Cyclic symptoms are a sign of malarial infection. P.falciparum doesn't usually cause cyclic symptoms and fever and is known to cause the most number of malarial deaths. Classical symptom of malaria are bouts of feeling cold followed by shivering, fever and sweating.
6. Treatment of malaria: Anti malaria drugs are commercially available across the world and medication should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. For milder forms of malaria usually oral medication is sufficient in a addition to lots of rest and light nutritious meals.
7. Vaccination for malaria are undergoing research across the globe but none are available as yet.
8. Prevention of malaria is based on two foundation stones of curbing mosquito breeding, population and protection from mosquito bites. Nets, mosquito repellent creams, gels, lotions, sprays, patches, bands, candles, vaporisers etc. are widely available and should be used. Additionally, mosquito breeding should be prevented by ensuring that there is no standing fresh water in and around your locality for the mosquitoes to breed in. The gutters should be covered and the potholes filled. Any artificial water containers like pots should be emptied on regular basis. Additionally, insecticides should be sprayed on a regular basis to keep the mosquito population under control.
When it comes to any mosquito spread disease, prevention is always better than cure and knowledge is the best form of prevention token the tiny tots safe from the stingers.
