01/07/2023
MALARIA (plasmodium infection)
( Most common case in Africa)
DEFINITION:
MALARIA is a serious disease caused by parasitic protozoa called plasmodia.
The parasite or infection is spread to humans through the bites of female anopheles mosquitoes.
Malaria causes severe fever, and in some cases, fetal complications affecting the kidneys, liver, brain and blood.
FOUR SPECIES OF PLASMODIA THAT CAUSE MALARIA
👉 Plasmodium falciparum 🚯
👉 Plasmodium vivax
👉 Plasmodium ovale
👉 Plasmodium malariaE
When a mosquito carrying any of these species bite a human, the plasmodia enter the blood stream, they invade liver and red blood cells where they multiply.
Falciparum malaria infects more red cells than the other species and therefore cause a more serious infection.
Falciparum malaria can be fetal within days, infected red blood cells become Sticky and block blood vessels in vital organs. The spleen becomes enlarged and the brain may be affected leading to coma and convulsions. Destruction of red blood cells causes haemolytic anaemia, kidney failure and jaundice often occur.
SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA
*Fever
*Shaking
*Chills
*Common or severe headache
*Fatigue
*Malaise
*Shivering and sweating
*Nausea and vomiting
*muscle aches
*Tiredness
*Diarrhea
*Confusion
*Chest pain
*Cough
*Anaemia
*Sleepy (especially in children)
In severe case, yellow skin (jaundice) and kidney failure may occur.
DIAGNOSIS
A diagnosis is made by examining a blood sample under a microscope to view the parasites
DRUGS OF CHOICE
*Proguanil and atovaquone or
* Artemether and lumefantrine
Nursing advice
👉Avoiding mosquito bites by wearing suitable clothing
👉 Using of insects repellents
👉 Using of mosquito nets is also important in helping prevent malaria.
👉 taking of prescription medicine
👉 Treatments can stop mild cases from getting worse.
udoka 🩺 care ,
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