Question

Write a short note on Malaria as a disease. Explain its symptoms and control?

Answer 1

Hint: Malaria is a vector borne disease spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes and we are well aware that this can be controlled by controlling the spread of female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand the word meaning of malaria. Malaria is an Italian word in which Mal-means bad and Aria -means air, which burst out in the 18th century. Malaria is caused by the parasitic protozoan Plasmodium. It is a vector-borne disease which is transmitted from person to person via bites from female anopheles’ mosquitoes.
TYPES OF MALARIA (4 types generally):
1.Plasmodium falciparum (dangerous)
2.Plasmodium vivax
3.Plasmodium ovale
4.Plasmodium malaria.

RISK FACTOR OF MALARIA:
Under the risk factors, below given are the points that include which region and which people are more prone to the infection of malaria.
Living and travelling in a region where malaria is present.
Travelling to an area where malaria is common
-Without taking medicine to prevent malaria
-Being outdoors especially in rural areas
-Not taking steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites
Pregnant women
Children under 5 year of age
Patients with HIV/ AIDS

SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA:
The common first symptom -fever with chills and rigor, headache and vomiting.
usually appear 10 to 15 days after a person is infected
Irritability (Imp. Symptom)
Headache
Nausea
Muscle pain and fatigue
Abdominal pain
Anemia
Splenomegaly
Convulsions.
The above given are the general symptoms of malaria.
The life cycle of malarial parasites involves two hosts one is female anopheles’ mosquito and the other one is Human beings. In mosquito, the parasite completes its sexual cycle and it is the definite host for the parasite, where as humans on the other hand, are intermediate host for the parasite for asexual part of it’s life cycle.

CONTROL OF MALARIA:
Avoid mosquito bites: 1) wearing long sleeves, trousers etc.
2) insecticide treated bed nets.
3) repellent creams and spray.
Avoid areas where malaria is prone and avoid the spread of mosquitoes and stagnant waters.

Note:
The above description is for Malaria and we as intelligent humans should avoid the spread of mosquitoes and keep ourselves and our surrounding safe.