What is Malaria?
Malaria disease is a parasitic disease. This means that it is caused by a parasite, a tiny organism that lives in or on other organisms called a host. This parasite’s host is a mosquito. The parasite is transferred to a potential victim when he or she is bitten by a mosquito. Though treatable and preventable, annually this disease kills 350-500 thousand around the world most victims are children who live near the Sahara area in Africa. In the United States only 1,300 cases are seen each year.

Causes of Malaria Disease
Malaria is caused by a parasite that has infected the saliva glands of a female mosquito. Once a mosquito that has been infected by the parasite that has grown to a certain stage of development bites a someone then that person gets Malaria, then if a female Mosquito (Genus: Anopheles) then bites that Malaria Disease victim the second mosquito can pass it to other people without being infected itself (that mosquito is called a vector).

Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of Malaria can vary greatly, from no symptoms at all or mild to extremely serious and may even result in death. Malaria is often put into two different Categories. One is Uncomplicated and the other is Complicated.

Incubation period - depending on the type of parasite the incubation period can range anywhere from 7-30 days. People who have traveled to Malaria prone areas should tell their doctor that they have done so, because even with the antimalarial drugs, some types of Malaria can delay onset of symptoms for up to one yea r.

1. Uncomplicated Malaria
The general (but very infrequent) attack of Malaria usually continues 6-10 hours. There are three phases to this and these usually return every 2 to 3 days depending upon the type of parasite (there are 4 types).
A. The cold phase (shivering, feeling cold)
B. The hot phase (vomiting, fever, headache; convulsions in children)
C. The Sweating phase (sweating, normal temperature, sleepiness)

However, more frequently the patient usually has the following signs and symptoms: chills, fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, general uncomfortable ness, and body aches.

There may also be: Enlarged spleen, fever, perspiration, general weakness.
In P. falciparum Malaria there may be these added findings:Enlarged Liver, mild jaundices, and increase respiratory rate.

Depending upon the country and the frequency that Malaria is experienced the patient will either self-medicate; as we do here in America with a cold or they will seek professional help after improper medications fail to take effect.

2. Complicated Malaria
This usually occurs where there is either low or no immunity to this disease, including locations where Malaria Disease is rare or immunity is low because of other health risks. Complicated Malaria results in blood and organ disorders, including fluid on the lung, and loss of Kidney function.

In all areas of the world complicated Malaria Disease is an emergency and should be treated as quickly and as intensely as possible because without treatment other major medical problems appear and eventually death does occur. As with other conditions pregnancy is complicated by the disease resulting in possibly early termination of the pregnancy if the disease is severe enough.

In addition, relapses are also known to happen, even months and years after the first attack. This is due to one genus of parasites having dormant stages that have been known to reactivate long after the disease has been cured. There are medications that are able to prevent this and should be started as soon after the first attack as possible.

Treatment of Malaria Disease
Laboratory tests should be performed and diagnosis of Malaria Disease should be confirmed before any treatment is started. Not doing this should be reserved only for special cases, limiting it to those situations where clear suspicion of a very extreme case is determined and lack of facilities necessitates doing so.

Treatment is determined by three specifications:
1. The species of infecting parasite-this is for three different reasons.
a. P. falciparum causes a severe and quickly progressing illness or death, while the other three species rarely are this severe.
b. P. Vivax and P. ovale demand treatment for forms that remain dormant and can induce repeat infections.
c. P. Falciparum and P. Vivax are known for different resistance levels in different geographic areas where infections