Symptoms - How do you know when you have contracted Malaria?
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Reference: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malarial_fever
Generally when one becomes infected with malaria, flu like symptoms occur.
The most common symptoms an infected person with uncomplicated malaria may experience are;
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills
- High Fever
- Diarrhea
- Sweats
- Dry Cough
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Feeling unwell
Physical Effects may include;
- Weakness
- Enlarged Spleen
- Perspiration
- Elevated Temperature
Mild Plasmodium falciparum may also include (as well as original symptoms);
- Increased respiratory rate
- Mild Anemia and Jaundice (due to low red blood cells)
- Enlarged liver
Severe Plasmodium falciparum might include some of the following;
- Neurological Abnormalities
- Severe Anemia
- Hemoglobinuria
- Pulmonary edema
- Blood cogulation and thrombocytopenia
- Cardiovascular collapse and shock
- Hyperparasitemia (5 percent of blood cells have been infected)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
- Metabolic acidosis
Attacks
Usually malaria attacks are rare but can last 6-10 hours. The attack consists of:
- The cold stage (sensation of cold, shivering)
- The hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting or even seizures in adolescent children)
- The sweating stage (sweats, normal temperature returns, sleepiness)
Other Symptoms and Manifestations;
- Neurologic defects may occasionally persist following cerebral malaria (particulary children). Defects include complications with deafness, blindness, speech difficulties, movement and palsies.
- Repeated P. falciparum infections can result in severe anemia.
- Malaria during pregnancy (especially P. falciparum) may cause premature birth and disease in the mother.
- P. vivax malaria can cause the spleen to rupture. (acute respiratory distress syndrome - ARDS) .
- Nephrotic syndrome (severe kidney disease) can result from multiple infections with P. malariae.
- Hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly (also called “tropical splenomegaly syndrome”)
P.ovale and P.vivax infections or attacks can occur more than once. This is because hyptozoites can inhabit your liver for longer than usual. Months or even years after a first attack, you may experience another as they may reactivate - this is called a relapse.
Diagnosis
Often people contract one of the four strains of malaria without even knowing it. People can be infected for days, weeks, even months and not notice the any of the symptoms above. That is why its a good idea to see a doctor after you have visited an area where mosquito infections are predominant. The diagnosis of malaria may be distinguished by a blood smear test, where they take a sample of your blood and examine it under a microscope to determine the amount of parasites and whether they are active or dormant. P. ovale, P. malrie and P. vivax are not initially life threatening but if symptoms occur, its suggested to seek prompt medical advice. P.Falciparum however, if severe can cause organ failure or organ abnormalities/complications which may lead to death.