Introduction
When you hear the word “malaria,” most people think that only people who live in Africa or third world countries get it. However, anyone can get it, especially if you are visiting one of these countries where malaria is prevalent. Malaria is a disease that affects thousands of people every day even though it could easily be prevented. It is extremely important to know what malaria is and how you can prevent and treat it because it can become serious if not treated properly and promptly.
How does Malaria Change the Body?
As soon as a person is infected with malaria the body begins to change. The first place in the body that begins to change is at the cellular level. According to the …show more content…
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2016), symptoms of malaria will begin to show around a week or two after being infected; the symptoms include “fever, headache, chills, and vomiting” (Symptoms section, para. 1). There may be some variations of the symptoms depending on how each body reacts to the infection and the severity of the infection. One of the more severe forms of malaria affects the brain. According to the CDC (2015), cerebral malaria can cause many neurologic abnormalities (Severe Malaria section, para. 1). So be sure to watch carefully for any changes neurologically and seek medical care immediately in this …show more content…
Malaria is transmitted person to person, through the bite of an infected mosquito. Knowing this explains why they use some of the preventative measures that they use, and helps with treatment. According to WHO (2016), malaria is treated with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), which “contains both the drug artemisinin and a partner drug” (Diagnosis & Treatment section, para. 1). It is crucial to seek treatment as soon as someone thinks he/she may be infected with malaria. If treated promptly those who are infected with malaria have a high cure rate. However, in extreme cases of malaria, such as cerebral malaria, and in cases where treatment is prolonged the infection can lead to death. Thus, if you have a bug bite, have been to one of the countries where malaria is prominent, and exhibit some of the symptoms seek medical