MALARIA: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION

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Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people when they’re bitten by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, which primarily bite at night.

When the Plasmodium parasite enters the body, it lodges in the liver where it multiplies about 10,000 times. Two weeks later, it bursts into the bloodstream and infects red blood cells.

Malaria is preventable and curable if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. You can help protect your loved ones from mosquitoes that may transmit malaria by learning how to reduce your risk of mosquito bites.

FACTS ABOUT MALARIA

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):²

• There were over 200 million cases of malaria in 87 countries in 2017.

• Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria.

• The (WHO) African Region was home to 92% of malaria cases and 93% of malaria deaths in 2017.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA?³

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria cases can be categorized as uncomplicated or complicated (severe), and the symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the infection.

UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA SYMPTOMS

• Fever

• Chills

• Sweats

• Headaches

• Nausea and vomiting

• Body aches

• General malaise and weakness

• Increased respiratory rate

• Enlarged spleen and/or liver

• Mild jaundice

COMPLICATED (SEVERE) MALARIA SYMPTOMS

• Neurologic abnormalities, including seizures, coma, impairment of consciousness, or abnormal behavior

• Severe anemia

• Hemoglobin in the urine, which may make the urine look dark

• Abnormalities in blood coagulation

• Low blood sugar, which may also occur in pregnant women with uncomplicated malaria, or after treatment with quinine

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

• Low blood pressure

• Acute kidney injury

• Hyperparasitemia

• Metabolic acidosis

SYMPTOM ONSET & COMPLICATIONS²

According to WHO, some people may develop partial immunity and won’t have any symptoms in areas where malaria is common. In non-immune people, the first symptoms of malaria usually begin 10-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If not treated within 24 hours, some types of malaria can progress to more severe symptoms and illness, often causing death.

HOW IS MALARIA TREATED?

The goal of malaria treatment is the full and rapid elimination of the parasite from the patient’s blood.⁴ According to the CDC, the recommended course of treatment depends on a variety of factors, including:⁵

• The parasite species that caused the infection

• Where in the world the infecting parasite was acquired

• The drug-resistance status of the parasite

• The severity of the disease and symptoms

• Whether the patient has other illnesses or is pregnant

• Whether the patient has any drug allergies or is taking other medications

Since the treatment of malaria is so complex, your doctor will determine the right treatment plan for you.

WHERE IS MALARIA FOUND?²

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. While malaria is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, some countries in the WHO regions of Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Western Pacific, and the Americas are also at risk of this mosquito-borne illness.

HOW TO HELP PREVENT MALARIA⁶

• If you live in or plan to travel to an area where malaria is prevalent, talk to your doctor about anti-malarial medications that may help prevent malaria.
• Cover cribs, beds, and strollers with a mosquito net. The mosquito that transmits malaria is most active at night, so protecting you and your family while you sleep is critical to helping prevent malaria infection.
• Use screens on windows and doors and repair holes in screens to help keep Anopheles mosquitoes outside.
• Get rid of standing water in and around the home where malaria mosquitoes are known to lay their eggs, such as in old tires, buckets, bird baths and trash bins. And, be sure to dump collected water at least once a week.
• Use aninsecticide productto help kill mosquitoes inside the home. Be sure to follow the label and only use as directed.
• Apply personal insect repellents that contain the active ingredients DEET or picaridin.
• Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks to limit the amount of skin that is exposed to mosquitoes. You can also wear clothing and gear treated with a permethrin insecticide or personal repellents. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label when treating clothing and gear because some repellents should not be used with rayon, spandex, acetate or other synthetic fabrics

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MALARIA

• For more information about this mosquito-borne disease, check out theWorld Health Organization’s Malaria Fact Sheet.

• For more tips to help protect your home and family from these disease-carrying insects, readHow to Help Get Rid of Mosquitoes.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING MALARIA

For over 60 years, researchers at theSC Johnson® Institute of Insect Science for Family Healthhave been studying these biting insects to learn new ways to help protect your family from mosquitoes that may carry malaria.