held such as mangoes cause malaria. This was an indication that people had not received correct information on how malaria spreads. However, (Womakuyu, 2007) stated that a large number of people do not have ample knowledge about malaria. He attributed this lack of knowledge to ignorance, lack of basic amenities, and lack of basic amenities, lack of basic education, poverty and cultural belief. Furthermore, people plenty information, it seems it all, in context to the proper information on the cause, some people especially in the rural area belief that malaria is cause by witchcraft or bad spirits, or a neighbor whom he or she is not in good term with- such beliefs makes health communication about using the proper measure to prevent understands local beliefs, one can frame plausible connections and solutions when communicating with villagers. One should always show respect and not criticized people because of their malaria thoughts for instance, in a situation where the belief is that mangoes cause malaria. Since mangoes are more common in rainy season. When mosquitoes are also more common, one can suggest that mosquitoes bread on the mangoes.
History and Cause of Malaria
Malaria is an infections disease cause by a parasite called plasmodium, infects red blood cells. Historical records suggest malaria has infected humans since the beginning of man kind. The name "Malaria" (Meaning "Bad Air" Anatolian) was first used in England in 1740 by it Walpole when describing the disease, the term was shortened to malaria" in the 20th century. Lavern in 1880 was the first to identify the parasites in human blood. In 1889, R. Rose discovered that mosquitoes transit malaria.
Malaria is a disease of wide distribution caused by sporozite of the genus plasmodium four species of plasmodium have been known to be associated with human malaria.
These species are:
i. Plasmodium falciparium
ii. Plasmodium vivax
iii. Plasmodium malariae
iv. Plasmodium ovale
Of the four species of malaria, the most serious type is plasmodium falciparium malaria. It can be life threatening. The other three species of malaria are generally less serious and are not life threatening.
Epidemiology and Entomology
Malaria had continued to be an endemic disease of the tropics and Subtropics. Although endemic malaria is located in areas of both north and south of equator as far as latitudes 64.N and 32.5. It is also known that even within the tropical and subtropical region, considerable vacations in prevalence and severity exist due to vacation climatic and environmental condition.
Clinical Manifestation of Malaria
The clinical manifestation of malaria depends on species. However, the clinical manifestation of malaria depends on species, however, the incubation period is between 9-37 days varying with the species involved.
Plasmodium falciparium 9-14 days
Plasmodium malariae 18-37 days
Plasmodium viviax 12-18 days
Plasmodium ovale 12-16 days
Human malaria presenta with the following signs and symptoms. Fever, headache, nausea, weakness, chills and rigors, altered behavior, chest pain, pallor, vomiting, Diarrhea, point pain, malaise, dizziness, altered samarium, breathiness, cough, convulsion, jaundice, coma. However, sever and complicated malaria can present with hyperparastaemia shock electrolyte and acid base imbalance, cerebral coma, hypoglycemia venal filure, hyperpyrexia and jaundice,
Diagnosis of Malaria
A diagnosis of malaria is made by the identification of the parasite in the blood. In endemie areas, malaria should be suspected in adults with fever associated with child's rigors and joint pain. It is also suspected in children with fever. Clinical acumen is highly needed in the diagnosis of malaria. The ability to get a good history from the patient and physical examination is very important but a good laboratory investigation of malaria parasite in a thin blood film using Giemsa stain and wrights gives confirmatory result. Other tests based on immunologic principles exist including RDT'S (rapid diagnostic tests) approved for use in U.S in 2007 and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test these are not yet widely available and are more expensive than the traditional Giesma blood smear.
Treatment of Malaria
The treatment of malaria can be supportive management and specific treatment.
Supportive Management
This is based on relieving symptoms according to their severity in high temperature, tepid sponging is needed and antipyretics such as paracetamol are given. To prevent dehydration which could be due to vomiting and diarrhea, adequate fluid therapy is given. In cases of severs anemia, blood transfusion would be required adequate diet, ferrous sulphate and folic acid should be given to help build up the body during convalescence.
Specific Treatment
The major goal of specific treatment is to reduce or clears the number of malaria parasites in the blood and tissue the drugs used are targeted at the life cycle of plasmodium more especially asexual cycle in humans.
Blood Schiyzoyticides
They attack malaria parasites within the granulating blood cells examples.
- Chloroquine tablet/syrup 10mg/kg start, them 10mg/kg 6 hours later and 5mg/kg for the next 2 days in adults.
- Quinine 20mg/kg loading dose when 10mg/kg slowly for 10-14 days.
- Pyrimethamine 25 mg weekly (Daraprim).
- Mefloquine
- Proguadine
No comments:
Post a Comment