Malaria

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Malaria (mah-LAR-ee-ah) is an infectious disease that is caused by parasites (bugs) and is usually spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. This infection, which affects people worldwide, is the most important and one of the most common infections caused by parasites. Any of the four different types of Plasmodium parasites may infect humans with malaria. Some types of malaria may be severe or may relapse (reappear) months or years after the first episode of infection. Malaria may affect many organs in the body, including the brain, lungs, kidneys, and liver. A more severe form of malaria that affects the brain is called cerebral malaria. Malaria may also be passed through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or sharing infected needles. An infected mother may pass the parasite to her unborn child.
  
  
• With early symptoms of malaria, you may feel like you have the flu, including high fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. You may also have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), abdominal (stomach) pain, or diarrhea. Signs and symptoms of brain, breathing, liver, or blood problems are seen with the severe forms of malaria. These problems may include abnormal bleeding, sleepiness, trouble breathing, seizures (convulsions), and severe weakness. Diagnosis of malaria may include a detailed health history and blood smear tests. Treatment is aimed at killing the parasites, relieving the symptoms, and treating the complications. Malaria may be prevented by controlling human and mosquito contact. With prompt treatment, such as medicine and rest, you have a greater chance of making a full recovery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Blood or organ donation: You may not be able to donate blood or an organ for a period of time after your infection. Ask your caregiver for more information on when you can donate blood or an organ.

Preventing malaria:

• Apply an insect repellant containing DEET (active ingredient) to your skin and clothing. An insect repellant helps to keep mosquitoes away. Make sure to apply it on your ankles and feet. An insect repellant containing permethrin (active ingredient) may be applied to clothes, bed-nets, tents, blankets, and other equipment. Infants, who are less than 2 months old, should use repellants with 30 percent DEET or less. Always read and follow the instructions on the label when using an insect repellant. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants who may rub their eyes or mouth.
  
  
• Do not go outside, especially at night or between dawn (sunrise) and dusk (sunset). Mosquitoes feed most actively during these times. Avoid activities in places where mosquitoes are usually present.
  
  
• Mosquitoes lay their eggs and mature in water. It is important not to have any standing water around. Properly storing any open containers that are not in use and draining or pumping out standing water may decrease mosquito breeding.
  
  
• Put screens on all windows and the outside doors of your house. Sleep under a bed-net if the house you are staying in is not screened. Check your bed-net for holes before using it.
  
  
• Visit your caregiver 2 to 3 weeks before traveling to a malaria-risk area. Take your antimalarial medicine exactly as advised by your physician, even if you have had malaria before.
  
  
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to keep your skin covered. Choose clothes that are light-colored because mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing.

Rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.

For more information: Accepting that you have malaria may be hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Contact the following for more information about malaria:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  National Center for Infectious Diseases
  Phone: 1-888-4437232
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
  

• National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
  NIAID Office of Communications & Public Liaison
  6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
  Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6612
  Phone: 1-301-496-5717
  Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• If your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, care, or recovery.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You become confused, act differently than normal, or it is harder than normal to wake you up.
  
  
• You have a bad headache or trouble thinking clearly.
  
  
• You have seizures (convulsions).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse or coming back.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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