Malaria : (noun)
1: an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are
transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles
mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Malaria : \Ma*la"ri*a\, n. [It., contr. fr. malaaria bad air. See
Malice, and Air.]
1. Air infected with some noxious substance capable of
engendering disease; esp., an unhealthy exhalation from
certain soils, as marshy or wet lands, producing fevers;
miasma.
Note: The morbific agent in malaria is supposed by some to be
a vegetable microbe or its spores, and by others to be
a very minute animal blood parasite (an infusorian).
2. (Med.) A morbid condition produced by exhalations from
decaying vegetable matter in contact with moisture, giving
rise to fever and ague and many other symptoms
characterized by their tendency to recur at definite and
usually uniform intervals.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Malaria : What is malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that infects the red blood cells. Of the 4 types of malaria, the most serious type is falciparum malaria. It can be
life-threatening. The other 3 types of malaria (vivax, malariae, and ovale) are generally less serious and are not life-threatening.
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.
Where is malaria a particular problem?
Malaria is a particular problem and a major one in areas of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Unless precautions are taken,
anyone living in or traveling to a country where malaria is present can get the disease.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
The symptoms characteristic of malaria include fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache. Cycles of chills, fever, and sweating that recur every
1, 2, or 3 days are typical. There can sometimes be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and yellowing (jaundice) of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Persons with severe falciparum malaria may develop bleeding problems, shock, kidney or liver failure, central nervous system problems, coma, and die.
What is the incubation period for malaria?
The period between the mosquito bite and the onset of the malarial illness is usually 1-3 weeks (7 to 21 days). However, the incubation
period may be longer when a person has taken an inadequate course of malaria prevention medications. Certain types of malaria parasites can also take much longer, as long as 8 to 10 months, to cause
symptoms.
How is malaria treated?
The treatment for malaria depends upon the geographic area where a person has been infected with the disease. Different areas of the world have malaria
types that are resistant to certain medications. The correct drugs for each type of malaria must be prescribed by a doctor.
Since people infected with falciparum malaria can die (often because of delayed treatment), immediate treatment for falciparum malaria is critical.
Is malaria a particular problem during pregnancy?
Yes. Malaria may pose a serious threat to a pregnant woman and her pregnancy. Malaria infection in pregnant women may be more
severe than in women who are not pregnant. Malaria may also increase the risk of problems with the pregnancy, including prematurity, abortion, and stillbirth. Therefore, all pregnant women who are
living in or traveling to a malaria-risk area should consult a doctor and take prescription drugs to avoid contracting malaria.
Is malaria a particular problem for children?
Again, yes. All children, including young infants, living in or traveling to malaria-risk areas should take antimalarial drugs.
Although the recommendations for most antimalarial drugs are the same as for adults, it is crucial to use the correct dosage for the child which depends on the age and weight of the child.
Since an overdose of an antimalarial drug can be fatal, all antimalarial (and all other) drugs should be stored in childproof containers well out of the child's reach.
How do I keep from getting malaria?
If you are traveling to an area known to have malaria, find out which medications you need to take, and take them as prescribed. Your doctor,
travel clinic or the health department can advise you as to what medicines to take to keep from getting malaria.
What other precautions should I take to avoid malaria?
The State of Hawaii Department of Health Communicable Disease Division makes the following recommendations to people
traveling into areas where malaria is present: - Avoid exposure to mosquitos during the early morning and early evening hours (the hours of greatest mosquito activity).
- Wear
appropriate clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants, for examples) especially when you are outdoors.
- Apply insect repellent to the exposed skin. The recommended insect repellent contains
20% - 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
- Spray mosquito repellents on clothing to prevent mosquitos from biting through thin clothing.
- Use a mosquito net over your bed.
- Have screens over windows and doors.
- Spray permethrin or a similar insecticide in the bedroom before going to bed.
Where can I get more information about malaria?
For further information on malaria, please visit the following site:
General Information : CDC (Centers for Disease Control) of the U.S. Public Health Service
Based on University of Miami School of Medicine [Medical_Dictionary]:
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Malaria : Falciparum malaria is the most deadly type.
The symptoms of malaria include cycles of chills, fever, sweats, muscle aches and headache that recur every few days. There can also be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and yellowing ( coma , and
die. The treatment of malaria is with oral or intravenous medications, including chloroquine, mefloquine (Larium), or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone).
Malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes. One should therefore take protective measures to reduce contact with
mosquitoes, especially during these hours. These measures include remaining in well-screened areas, using mosquito nets, and wearing clothes that cover most of the body.
Additionally, one should have insect repellent for use on exposed skin. The most effective repellent against a wide range of vectors is DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide), an ingredient in many
commercially available insect repellents. The actual concentration of DEET varies widely among repellents. DEET formulations as high as 50% are recommended for both adults and children >2 months of
age.
Travelers not staying in well-screened or air-conditioned rooms are advised to use a pyrethroid-containing flying-insect spray in living and sleeping areas during the evening and nighttime hours.
They should sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets. Bed nets are more effective if they are treated with permethrin or deltamethrin insecticide; bed nets may be purchased that have already been
treated with insecticide.
Among the many names for malaria are ague , jungle fever, marsh or swamp fever, and paludism.
Based on University of Miami School of Medicine [Medical_Dictionary]:
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