Treating Malaria in India

The disease is widely prevalent all over the country and has become a scourge resulting in many deaths. The malaria pathogen is transmitted to humans through blood from bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Over a number of years, the parasitic protozoan has diversified into many strains some yet to be discovered. Single-celled microorganism is classified as spasmodic types.   

While vivax, ovale and malariae cause many symptoms P.falciparum is the one that is the cause of many deaths in India.  The usual symptoms are chills and fever, nausea and vomiting, lethargy, and even death. In advanced stages, the skin may become yellow as some strains affect the lever and cause jaundice.     

Blood tests are the usual mode of detecting the parasite in the blood but lately, quicker tests have been developed but their efficacy is in doubt. It will usually take three or more blood tests to detect the parasite but this is a better way to detect the infection in time and prevent aggravation of symptoms later.   

The treatment for malaria is a combination of three injections of artemisinin and seven doses of quinine tablets of 300 mg each. This treatment eliminates the parasite from the blood. This is then followed by fourteen days of primaquine treatment to eliminate pathogens from the liver. The malaria treatment using quinine and its derivatives is troublesome with side effects like nausea, vomiting, digestive discomfort, and giddiness to name a few. Hence medicines for the prevention of these symptoms are administered orally along with the course.     

As a preventive measure doxycycline is prescribed on regular basis, especially for overseas visitors traveling to malaria-affected countries like India.  Other preventive measures are mosquito repellent in form of lotions and oils, nets, incense sticks, and electronic devices that discourage the mosquitoes in their range.      

The disease should always be treated under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and self-medication could be dangerous.  Treatments differ and it is up to the doctor to prescribe medicines most suited. 

The cause of the proliferation and spread of malaria-carrying mosquitoes are many prominent being accumulated and stagnant water, lack of hygiene, and paucity of precautions. Fogging machines are useful to eradicate insects from their surroundings.
Mosquito occurrence can lead to many kinds of infections hence be aware!