Malaria - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Malaria is a disease of the red blood cells that threaten life caused by a parasite and transmitted to humans by mosquito Anopheles . After a mosquito bites a human, the parasites multiply in the liver (liver) before infecting humans and destroys red blood cells. This disease can be controlled and treated if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, this is not possible in some areas of the world lacking in medical facilities, where outbreaks of malaria can occur. At this time, a vaccine for this disease has not been found.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target for reducing malaria cases and deaths by 90% by 2030. Malaria was first discovered to be a parasitic disease in 1880. An estimated 3.3 billion people in 97 countries are at risk of malaria, nearly half of the world's population. The incidence rate of malaria is estimated to have dropped by 30% globally in 2000 to 2013, while the death rate is expected to fall by 47% worldwide.
Cause
The disease is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito that is in his body contained the parasite Plasmodium . Anopheles mosquito is the only one that can cause malaria. The success of the parasite to develop in the mosquito's body depends on several factors, especially the factor of humidity and temperature mosquitoes.
When an infected mosquito bites a human, the parasite enters the bloodstream, and became active in the liver. For the next 5-16 days after being bitten, people who were bitten will begin to show symptoms. The new malaria parasite is then released back into the bloodstream from the liver to the red blood cells and begin to multiply. Some of these parasites is nothing that remains in the liver and is not released in time. When released at the specified time, it is called with recurrence ( relapse ).
There are more than 100 species of Plasmodium but scientists have identified five types of Plasmodium that are specifically able to infect humans:
P. falciparum - is in the whole world, but the majority in Africa. An estimated 1 million people were killed by these strains each year. These strains can proliferate quickly become severe malaria, for example up to attack the brain. However, this strain is not capable of relapse.
P. vivax - located in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, mostly in Asia. This strain has an active stage in the liver to activate and attack the blood after months or years, called the relapse / recurrence.
P. ovale - located mainly in the regions of West Africa, it is biologically and morphology is very similar to P. vivax. These strains are capable of attacking the Duffy blood group negative, which is the class of the majority of the population of sub-Saharan Africa. It explains that the prevalence of this strain (not the P. vivax) mostly in Africa.
P. malariae - located around the world and the only malaria parasites are active every 3 days. If left untreated, P. malariae can cause chronic infection that can last a lifetime.
P. knowlesi - located in Southeast Asia, known to have a 24-hour cycle and, therefore, can multiply rapidly once the patient. Fatal cases of this strain was also reported.
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Symptoms
According to the CDC, symptoms of malaria can be classified into two categories, simple and heavy.
Uncomplicated malaria is diagnosed when there are symptoms without clinical signs or laboratory to demonstrate the severity or vital organ dysfunction. Individuals suffering from severe malaria may experience a simple if malaria is not treated, or if they no immunity to fight the disease.
Severe malaria is defined by clinical or laboratory evidence of their vital organ dysfunction or failure. This type tends to be fatal if untreated. An overview of the symptoms are:
Fever and chills
Disturbances of consciousness and coma
convulsions
Respiratory disorders
Abnormal bleeding, such as anemia
Jaundice clinical and evidence of vital organ dysfunction
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis of malaria is very important. Every individual who show signs and symptoms of this disease should be tested. WHO very merekomedasikan parasitological examination by microscopy or rapid diagnostic test (RDT / rapid diagnostic test ). Selection of this method is, of course, depending on the available medical facilities. RDT is more popular worldwide because it is fast and easy.
Treatment
If left untreated, the disease can be fatal. Although many steps have been conducted, a vaccine for this disease has not been found. However, the disease can be treated. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the parasite Plasmodium of the patient's bloodstream. Thus, the risk of disease transmission can be reduced.
Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) recommended by WHO for treating malaria. Artemisinin is derived from the plant Artemisia annua , and is known for its ability to reduce the amount of the Plasmodium parasite in the blood stream quickly. ACT is artemisinin in combination with other drugs as a partner drug. The role of artemisinin is to reduce the number of parasites in the first three days while eliminating sisanya.Kombinasi ACT partner drug is a first-line treatment. For second-line treatment and for pregnant women and children, drug quinine and its partners more recommended. (dr. Ursula Penny)
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Malaria
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