Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and an enormous public-health problem. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The most serious forms of the disease are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, but other related species (Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and sometimes Plasmodium knowlesi) can also infect humans. This group of human-pathogenic Plasmodium species is usually referred to as malaria parasites. Malaria is a health problem in many tropical countries. It's also a problem for people visiting these countries. Your chance of getting malaria is highest when you travel in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, African countries south of the Sahara Desert and some remote places in southeast Asia.

Many of the diseases that affect the human body today are bad if not terrible. The last two decades have seen a lot of publicity about Aids with television coverage, and pop concerts yet Malaria goes by without a mention. Each year it is estimated that over 600 million people and children will suffer from Malaria, and at a guess the death rate is something up to 3 million. This figure cannot be accurate as many people that suffer will never even see a Doctor as they live out in poor communities far away from medical help.

How do you get Malaria?

* Malaria is transmitted to people by a particular type of mosquito called Anopheles, which is found mainly in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

* An infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects the malaria parasites (microscopic organisms) into the blood.

How is malaria transmitted?

As is well known, malaria is transmitted to people by mosquitos. The scientific name of the particular type of mosquito is Anopheles. An infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects the malaria parasites into the blood. The malaria parasites then travel through the bloodstream to the liver and eventually infect the red blood cells.

Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.

Treatment

Doctors treat malaria with anti-malarial drugs, such as chloroquine or quinine, given by mouth, by injection, or intravenously (into the veins). Depending on the type of parasite causing the malaria, a person can be treated as an outpatient over a few days or may require hospitalization with IV medication. Doctors also watch for signs of dehydration, convulsions, anemia, and other complications that can affect the brain, kidneys, or spleen. The patient may require fluids, blood transfusions, and breathing assistance.

Prevention

For prevention you must get the most up to date information from your Doctor who will advise what precaution as far as different vaccines. You must also make sure you have the right sort of netting for your bedding, and be sure to have some form of replant.Check with your doctor before visiting any tropical or subtropical area at high risk for malaria. Your doctor can give your family anti-malarial drugs to prevent the disease.