{"id":354,"date":"2020-11-18T15:16:18","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T15:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.riverjordanmedicalcenter.com\/?p=354"},"modified":"2026-03-20T09:40:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:40:58","slug":"malaria-a-sidelined-killer-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riverjordanmedicalcenter.com\/?p=354","title":{"rendered":"Malaria, A Sidelined Killer Disease."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you\nknow that Malaria is the most life-threatening disease in the entire world? African\ncountries,<\/strong> especially the Sub Saharan<\/strong> part of Africa are at a higher\nrisk of contracting the disease compared to Asian and American countries. Amidst\nthe covid-19, there are other diseases that have possibly been sidelined that\ndemand immediate attention. One among these is Malaria. Since the onset of\ncovid-19, much attention has been withdrawn from it yet it still claims the\nlives of many including the young ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all\nknow, Malaria is caused by the plasmodium parasite<\/strong> carried by the female\nanopheles\u2019 mosquito. Malaria is a seasonal illness. It is always at its peak<\/strong>\nduring the rainy season<\/strong> that is between September<\/strong> and December<\/strong>\nand the humid season<\/strong>, between May <\/strong>and July.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According\nto WHO global estimates, the number of Malaria deaths has drastically reduced\nfrom 839,000 in 2000 to 438,000 in 2015<\/strong>. In 2018, the estimated deaths\ncaused by Malaria globally was 405,000<\/strong> with Africa accounting for 94%<\/strong>\nof those cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children\nunder the age of 5years<\/strong> are the most vulnerable since they are at a higher risk of contracting\nand dying from Malaria. In 2018, they accounted for 67% of global deaths<\/strong>\ncaused by Malaria. Malaria in children can cause respiratory problems, cerebral\nMalaria, or anemia while in adults it can likely cause organ failure. Equally, pregnant\nwomen<\/strong> fall at a higher risk of contracting Malaria and often can lead to\nthe loss of both the mother and the child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#PreventMalariaSpread<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It takes about\n10 to 15 days<\/strong> for Malaria symptoms to be noticed. Some of the symptoms\ninclude chills, fever, headaches, fatigue, and even loss of appetite. Often, if\nnot treated within 24hours<\/strong>, it can lead to death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good\nnews<\/strong> is, Malaria is\nnot only manageable but curable<\/strong>. There are different ways one can use to\ncurb the spread of Malaria. Methods like sleeping under an\ninsecticide-treated mosquito net, indoor spraying of insecticide on residential\nplaces, use of mosquito repellant and, taking antimalarial drugs<\/strong> are some\nof the ways used to prevent contracting the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RTS,\nS\/AS01 (RTS,<\/strong> <\/strong>S)<\/strong><\/a> is the only vaccine that is known to prevent the\nspread of malaria. This vaccine is administered to young children mostly after\nbeing born. Commendably, the administration of the vaccine to children has seen\ntremendous improvement in reducing the spread of malaria.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At any\npoint, if one realizes they are having symptoms related to those like Malaria,\nit is important to visit a health center for checkup and treatment. Everyone\nhas the responsibility of ensuring they keep themselves and their families safe\nfrom Malaria by adopting the required prevention measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is\nimportant to ensure bushes are cleared and stagnant water from rain or any\nwater sources are dried up because those are mosquito breeding grounds. Malaria\ncan be prevented and cured if treated early.<\/p>\n