1. Malaria : A parasitic
disease with high
fevers, shaking chills, flu-
like symptoms, and
anaemia
© 2012 Right Doctor

2. What is Malaria ?
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is passed from
one person to another by the bite of an infected female ANOPHELES
mosquito
After infection, the
parasites travel through the
bloodstream to the liver,
where they mature and
release another form of
parasites which infect red
blood cells
© 2012 Right Doctor

3. What are the common symptoms?
 The first symptoms usually
occur 10 days to 4 weeks after
infection.
 A developing fetus may get the
disease from its mother.
 Sharing needles used for
injecting drugs.
 In very rare cases, people can
get malaria if they come into
contact with infected blood.
Source : Wikipedia
You cannot get Malaria just by being near aaperson who has the
You cannot get Malaria just by being near person who has the
disease
disease
© 2012 Right Doctor

4. Diagnosis of Malaria
 The classic and most used
diagnostic test for malaria is the
blood smear on a microscope
slide
 Doctors also watch for signs of
dehydration, convulsions and
other such symptoms which
may affect kidney, brain or lever
if not detected timely
 A complete blood count (CBC) Parasite plasmodium. Source : Wikipedia
will identify anemia if it is
present
© 2012 Right Doctor

5. Treatment of Malaria
 The choice of medication depends in part on where you were,
when you were infected apart from your age, severity of other
symptoms etc.
 Medical care, including fluids through a vein and other
medications and breathing support may be needed for patients
with complications
 If you have severe symptoms, seek emergency medical
attention.
Few days medication, as prescribed by family doctor/ physician, is all that
Few days medication, as prescribed by family doctor/ physician, is all that
is required in MOST cases of uncomplicated malaria
is required in MOST cases of uncomplicated malaria
© 2012 Right Doctor

6. Prevention is better than cure
•• Do not let mosquitoes breed in your vicinity.
Do not let mosquitoes breed in your vicinity.
•• Treating your home's walls with insecticide sprays can help kill adult
Treating your home's walls with insecticide sprays can help kill adult
mosquitoes that come inside.
mosquitoes that come inside.
•• Wear full pants and long-sleeved shirts especially at desk and at night.
Wear full pants and long-sleeved shirts especially at desk and at night.
•• Use bed nets (preferably insecticide impregnated) while sleeping.
Use bed nets (preferably insecticide impregnated) while sleeping.
•• Use mosquito repellant crème on open parts of the body.
Use mosquito repellant crème on open parts of the body.
•• Encourage patients with fever to get checked up. This helps to reduce
Encourage patients with fever to get checked up. This helps to reduce
transmission of malaria to others in the neighborhood
transmission of malaria to others in the neighborhood
•• Family members of malaria patients or individuals visiting malaria
Family members of malaria patients or individuals visiting malaria
endemic areas could take medicines to prevent its occurrence. Family
endemic areas could take medicines to prevent its occurrence. Family
physicians can be consulted for the same
physicians can be consulted for the same
© 2012 Right Doctor

7. Malaria endemic countries
Data source: WHO
© 2012 Right Doctor

8. Disclaimer : The intent of the information provided
by Right Doctor is to increase public awareness and
should not be treated as a medical advice. A
physician should be consulted for a proper medical
guidance.
© 2012 Right Doctor