World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day is on the 25th of April every year.

This year’s theme is “Ready to beat Malaria.” The theme shows the community’s energy and commitment to uniting to achieve the common world goal of being malaria-free.

It also highlights the remarkable progress achieved in tackling one of the world’s oldest diseases. However, it also highlights the worrying trends captured in the World Malaria Report.

What is Malaria:

Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito (Anopheles). These mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When the mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream. The parasites then travel to the liver and mature. After several days, they enter the bloodstream and infect the red blood cells.

Malaria Symptoms:

The Symptoms typically show up within 10 days following infection. These symptoms are:

shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe

high fever

profuse sweating

a headache

nausea

vomiting

abdominal pain

diarrhoea

anaemia

muscle pain

convulsions

coma

bloody stools

How is Malaria diagnosed?

Doctors will be able to diagnose malaria during an appointment through a physical exam and blood tests. These tests will show:

  • If you have malaria
  • What type of malaria do you have
  • If the infection is caused by a parasite that’s resistant to certain types of drugs
  • If the disease has caused anaemia
  • If the disease has affected your vital organs

Malaria Treatment:

With malaria having the risk of being a life-threatening disease, treatment for this disease is typically provided in the hospital. Treatment differs depending on which type of parasite you have.

The doctors will prescribe and administer medications until the malaria is no longer in your system. However, they do tend to give you a second dose of medication to prevent a relapse in the future.

How can you get involved?

As an individual, you can show your support through the use of social media. Use the campaign hashtags #readytobeatmalaria and #endmalaria to show you are declaring to beat malaria this #worldmalariaday and ‘like’ and share World Malaria Day campaign materials on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Linked-In.

To find out more, please visit here

Note: All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice, general advice, or instruction of any kind. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals and/or intermediaries, or other relevant professionals, on any matter relating to their health and overall well-being. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgement available to the authors at the time, and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health and/or financial authorities etc. assume the risk of any injuries and/or liabilities etc. Please note that Gap Cover is not a medical aid, and it is not a substitute for medical aid. Errors and Omissions Excepted. Terms and Conditions Apply.

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