144 Health Problems from Mosquitoes
Malaria
Malaria is an infection of the blood that causes high fever and chills.
It is caused by a parasite (called plasmodium) that is passed to
people by a certain kind of mosquito that bites mostly at night.
Millions of people die from malaria every year, and many
millions more live with the disease.
Malaria is especially dangerous to children under 5 years old, pregnant
women, and people with HIV. Pregnancy lowers a woman’s ability to fight
illness and infection. If she becomes ill with malaria, she may also get
severe anemia (weak blood) which increases the chance of death during
or after giving birth. Malaria in pregnancy can also cause her to lose the
baby (miscarriage) or cause the baby to be born too soon, too small, or dead
(stillbirth).
There are many kinds of malaria. People can live for many years with
some kinds of malaria, and most kinds of malaria can be cured. But cerebral
malaria (Plasmodium falciparum or P. falciparum) can cause death within 1 or
2 days of being infected. In areas where cerebral malaria exists, it is especially
important to seek testing and treatment right away if you suspect you have
malaria.
Usually malaria causes fevers every 2 or 3 days, but in the beginning it may
cause fever every day. Anyone who suffers from unexplained fevers should have
a blood test for malaria. This can be done at most health centers. If the blood
test is positive for malaria, or if testing is not available, get treatment right away.
Malaria Song (from Mozambique)
If your child has a fever
And doesn’t have diarrhea
And doesn’t have a cough
It is malaria
Take your child to the hospital
Start medicine the first day
Continue for 2 more days
When he gets better
Give him extra food 3 times each day
Do this for 2 weeks
So he will live for
many more years
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012