Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors." There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
P. falciparum is the most prevalent malaria parasite on the African continent. It is responsible for most malaria-related deaths globally.
P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2015, approximately 3.2 billion people – nearly half of the world's population – were at risk of malaria. Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East, are also at risk. In 2015, 95 countries and territories had ongoing malaria transmission.
Some population groups are at considerably higher risk of contracting malaria, and developing severe disease, than others. These include infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as non-immune migrants, mobile populations and travellers. National malaria control programmes need to take special measures to protect these population groups from malaria infection, taking into consideration their specific circumstances.
According to the latest WHO estimates, released in December 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and 438 000 deaths.
Between 2000 and 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk fell by 37% globally; during the same period, malaria mortality rates among populations at risk decreased by 60%. An estimated 6.2 million malaria deaths have been averted globally since 2001.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths.
Some 15 countries – mainly in sub-Saharan Africa – account for 80% of malaria cases and 78% deaths globally. Since 2000, the decline in malaria incidence in these 15 countries (32%) has lagged behind that of other countries globally (53%).
In areas with high transmission of malaria, children under 5 are particularly susceptible to infection, illness and death; more than two thirds (70%) of all malaria deaths occur in this age group. Between 2000 and 2015, the under-5 malaria death rate fell by 65% globally, translating into an estimated 5.9 million child lives saved between 2001 and 2015.
SYMPTOMS
Malaria is an acute febrile illness. In a non-immune individual, symptoms appear 7 days or more (usually 10–15 days) after the infective mosquito bite. The first symptoms – fever, headache, chills and vomiting – may be mild and difficult to recognize as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death.
Children with severe malaria frequently develop one or more of the following symptoms: severe anaemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria. In adults, multi-organ involvement is also frequent. In malaria endemic areas, people may develop partial immunity, allowing asymptomatic infections to occur.
TRANSMISSION
In most cases, malaria is transmitted through the bites of female Anophelesmosquitoes. There are more than 400 different species of Anopheles mosquito; around 30 are malaria vectors of major importance. All of the important vector species bite between dusk and dawn. The intensity of transmission depends on factors related to the parasite, the vector, the human host, and the environment.
Anopheles mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, which hatch into larvae, eventually emerging as adult mosquitoes. The female mosquitoes seek a blood meal to nurture their eggs. Each species of Anopheles mosquito has its own preferred aquatic habitat; for example, some prefer small, shallow collections of fresh water, such as puddles and hoof prints, which are abundant during the rainy season in tropical countries.
Transmission is more intense in places where the mosquito lifespan is longer (so that the parasite has time to complete its development inside the mosquito) and where it prefers to bite humans rather than other animals. The long lifespan and strong human-biting habit of the African vector species is the main reason why nearly 90% of the world's malaria cases are in Africa.
Transmission also depends on climatic conditions that may affect the number and survival of mosquitoes, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. In many places, transmission is seasonal, with the peak during and just after the rainy season. Malaria epidemics can occur when climate and other conditions suddenly favour transmission in areas where people have little or no immunity to malaria. They can also occur when people with low immunity move into areas with intense malaria transmission, for instance to find work, or as refugees.
Human immunity is another important factor, especially among adults in areas of moderate or intense transmission conditions. Partial immunity is developed over years of exposure, and while it never provides complete protection, it does reduce the risk that malaria infection will cause severe disease. For this reason, most malaria deaths in Africa occur in young children, whereas in areas with less transmission and low immunity, all age groups are at risk.
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
CHINIUM SULPHURICUM 1x and NUX VOMICA 30-Chininum Sulphuricum and Nux Vomica are the top Homeopathic medicines for malaria with marked chilliness and shivering (cold stage). Chininum Sulphuricum is very effective where the chill occurs at 3 pm every day. The person experiences great shivering even in a warm room. For malaria in the cold stage, with blueness of fingernails, Nux Vomica is recommended as one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines. Also, in cases where the person feels chilliness on being uncovered, yet will not want to be covered, Nux Vomica is prescribed as one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines for malaria.
BOLETUS 30 and EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM 30-Boletus and Euparorium Perfoliatum are the most effective Homoeopathic medicines for malaria with profuse sweating ( sweat stage ). Homeopathic medicine Boletus is prescribed in malaria cases with profuse perspiration, especially at night, along with severe chills and fever. Eupatorium Perfoliatum is effective when all complaints, except headache, are relieved by perspiration. The person experiences chills, mostly between 7 am and 9 am, preceded by strong thirst and aching bones.
CHIRATTA Q- A specific remedy for malaria.
ARSENIC ALBUM 30 and CHINA 30-Arsenic album and China are top Homoeopathic medicines for malaria with high fever (heat stage) . Arsenic Album is one of the most excellent Homeopathic medicines for malaria with high grade fever with marked periodicity. Great restlessness accompanying high fever that gets worse after midnight is also treated well with Arsenic Album. China is one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines for malaria with high temperature that returns every week. The person complains of chill in the morning with debilitating night sweats.
GELSEMIUM 30-Gelsemium is another effective remedy for malaria. This remedy has no special hepatic , gastric or intestinal disturbances and it suits malarial conditions in children The chill runs up the back or starts from the feet. There is a bruised feeling all over and a characteristic is that the patient wants to be held during the chill to prevent his shaking. The characteristic time for the chill is prevent his shaking. The characteristic time for the chill is about the middle of the day. The heatis attended with red face. Drowsiness, dizziness and dullness are characteristic symptoms. Thirst is not marked.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 30 and PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Natrum Muriaticum and Pulsatilla are top Homoeopathic medicines for malaria with headache. Natrum Muriaticum is prescribed in case of continued chilliness along with the headache, especially on waking in the morning. Malaria cases with headache that persists from sunrise to sunset are also best treated with Homeopathic medicine Natrum Muriaticum. In case of chill with pains in certain spots, especially in the evening, Pulsatilla is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for malaria. Complaints of wandering stitches in the head during sweat are also treated well with Homeopathic medicine Pulsatilla.
CHINA 30, ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS 30-, FERRUM PHOSPHORICUM 30- China, Alstonia and Ferrum Phosphoricum. acts well in all stages of malarial fever with great weakness. China acts well in all stages of malarial fever with great exhaustion. Debilitating night sweats with fever that returns every week are also treated well with China. Alstonia is a great Homeopathic tonic for debilitating and exhausting malarial fever. On the other hand, cases of chill occurring daily at 1 pm, with marked prostration, are attended well with Ferrum Phosphoricum, making it one of the most remarkable Homeopathic medicines for malaria
MALARIA OFFICINALIS 1000- Malaria officinalis is a nosode and it is prescribed when well selected remedies fail.It completes the cure. Symptoms like aching pain which continues when the fever has subsided, will be cured by this remedy.
APIS MELLIFICA 30-Apis mellifica is prescribed when chill with sudden violent vomiting is present.The fever comes in the evening between 6 and 7 pm. The chill begins in the chest and abdomen with feeling of weight on the chest. Skin dry and hot. Burning and oppression of the chest is most marked and dyspnoea is alarming .
BRYONIA ALB. 30- Bryonia is prescribed when there is sickness of the stomach, belching , bitter taste and tongue furred. Constipation or diarrhoea may be present. During heat stage there is yawning and stitches in the sides. Much thirst or heat before the chills. Red cheeks in the cold stage.
FERRUM ARSENICUM 200- Ferrum ars should be given in the last stages of malaria. Liver and spleen enlarged.
IPECAC 30-Ipecac is another effective remedy where the tertian form predominates. The chill is most marked and the fever is accompanied with the gastric symptoms, loss of appetite, loathing of food, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is often the remedy in the beginning of intermittents, suiting especially sensitive young patients. The thirst is wanting or slight during the chill and the chill predominates; the heat is trifling and the sweat is usually missing , or there may be a short chill and long fever, and during the paroxysms there may be a suffocative cough and spasmodic dyspnoea. During the apyrexia there are many gastric symptoms, sallow skin, headache, nausea and vomiting. It is the remedy when the case seems all mixed up; a few doses will often clear the case and lead to the proper remedy.
RHUS TOXICODENDRCODENDRON 30-Rhus tox is another effective remedy for malaria. The sensation of cold in cold stage and heat in the heat stage, piercing through the blood vessels. The tongue is dry. A dry hacking cough before the chill, burning in forehead and eyes. The mouth is moist. Restlessness which is relieved by movements. Watery yellow stools. Another leading symptom is triangular tip tongue. Chill starts in the thigh or between the shoulders .
PREVENTION
Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission. If coverage of vector control interventions within a specific area is high enough, then a measure of protection will be conferred across the community.
WHO recommends protection for all people at risk of malaria with effective malaria vector control. Two forms of vector control – insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying – are effective in a wide range of circumstances.
Insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the preferred form of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) for public health programmes. In most settings, WHO recommends LLIN coverage for all people at risk of malaria. The most cost-effective way to achieve this is by providing LLINs free of charge, to ensure equal access for all. In parallel, effective behaviour change communication strategies are required to ensure that all people at risk of malaria sleep under a LLIN every night, and that the net is properly maintained.
Indoor spraying with residual insecticides
Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides is a powerful way to rapidly reduce malaria transmission. Its full potential is realized when at least 80% of houses in targeted areas are sprayed. Indoor spraying is effective for 3–6 months, depending on the insecticide formulation used and the type of surface on which it is sprayed. In some settings, multiple spray rounds are needed to protect the population for the entire malaria season.
HOMOEOPATHIC PREVENTIVES
1. MALARIANA OFFICINALIS 1000- Give one dose at an interval of 10 minutes. Total 4 doses.
2.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 200- It should be tried when Natrum mur. fails. Give 2 times daily , morning and night, for one week
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