Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium that is transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The most common symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, chills, sweating, and fatigue. Malaria can be prevented by controlling mosquito populations, using insect repellents and mosquito nets, and taking anti-malarial medications if living in high-risk areas. Malaria is diagnosed through blood tests and treated with oral or intravenous medications depending on the severity of infection. Complications from malaria can include cerebral malaria, anemia, and even death in severe cases.

1. Malaria
Sdh
Opd
Group one

2. Objectives
By the end of this presentation, you should;
• Know What malaria is.
• How malaria is transmitted.
• The symptoms caused by malaria.
• How to prevent malaria.
• How to cure malaria.
• Know the complications of malaria.

3. What it is
• Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a
parasite, Plasmodium, which infects red blood
cells.
• In 1889, R. Ross discovered that mosquitoes
transmitted malaria.
• Four common species that cause malaria:
• Plasmodium falciparum (P.f)
• Plasmodium vivax,
• Plasmodium malariae,
• Plasmodium ovale
• most serious type is Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
It can be life-threatening.
• The other three common species of malaria are
generally less serious and are usually not life-

4. How it’s transmitted
• The female Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person
and becomes infected in the process. It then bites
healthy people and infects them.
• As malaria parasite is found in red blood cells, it
can also be transmitted from mother to child
(pregnancy), through organ transplant, blood
transfusion and sharing of needles and syringes.

5. Cycle of transmission
• The mosquito is a
carrier of the
sporozoites of the
Plasmodium in it’s
salivary glands.
• When it bites to the
person, the sporozoites
goes into the liver.
• Then it transforms into
merozoites, and break
out the red blood
cells, so the person
gets very sick, and
shows the first
symptoms of malaria,

6. Incubation
• Time between infective bite and symptoms onset can
range from 12 to 30 days depending on type
of Plasmodia.
• P. vivax, may have a prolonged incubation period of
8 to 10 months.
• When infection occurs by blood transfusion, the
incubation period depends on the number of
parasites transferred but is usually less than two
months.

7. Signs and Symptoms
• Systemic
• Fever
• Central
• Headache
• Muscular
• Malaise (Fatigue, bodily
discomfort, etc.)
• Pain
• Back
• Pain
• Skin
• Chills
• Sweating
• (Rigor)
• Spleen
• Enlargement
• Stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain

8. Prevention
• Control mosquitoes.
• Use insecticides such as spray and coil.
• Get rid of stagnant waters e.g. tins, tyres, sachets etc.
• Pour oil or chemicals on stagnant water bodies.
• Clear bushes around your home.
• Provide proper disposal methods.
• Health education and sensitization on malaria.
• Use prophylaxis against malaria e.g. S.P,
Doxycycline.
• Test and treat ASAP to prevent spread.

9. Prevention Cont.
To keep mosquitoes from biting;
• Wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves esp.
during night.
• Wear mosquitoes repellent and use mosquito net.

10. Diagnosis
Malaria can be diagnosed by
• Clinical manifestation
• Laboratory investigations
• RDT for Malaria
• B/F for MPs
• NB: It is recommended to always test before
treatment

11. Treatment
• Three main factors determine treatments:
The infecting species of Plasmodium parasite.
The clinical situation of the patient.
The drug susceptibility of the infecting parasites (count
of parasites)
• Mild malaria can be treated with oral
medication e.g. A/L and A/A.
• Severe malaria requires intravenous drug treatment
e.g. Artesunate, and fluids in the hospital

12. Complications
• Cerebral Malaria.
• Paralysis.
• Convulsions.
• Anaemia
• Hemolysis.
• Coma.
• Death.

13. References
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria
• www.smeds.org
• www.hdmicablescheap.net
• http://www.medicinenet.com/malaria/article.htm
• http://www.malariasite.com/malaria/WhatIsMalaria.h
tm
• http://www.cdc.gov/MALARIA/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/condit
ions/malaria1.shtml
• http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/mal
aria/fact_sheet.htm
• en.wikipediaMalari.org