ProWritersHub (W3): Malaria - the cause, effects and how to protect yourself from malaria; by @chiomavia.

Edited with pixellab.

This is my second entry in ProWriters hub w3, and today I would be writing about Malaria. Malaria is the most popular disease of all times, every human being in Nigeria must have been infected with malaria at least twice in their lifetime. Malaria causes the highest rate of death in Africa and the United States.

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Malaria

Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasite. This plasmodium parasite usually infect a specie of female mosquito called the Anopheles mosquito.
When this infected Anophele mosquito bite a person, it transmit the plasmodium parasite to the person. This parasite then cling to the red blood cells and it continues to multiply which leads to malaria.
If the female Anophele mosquito is not infected by Plasmodium parasite, it can not cause malaria.
There are kinds of malara parasite, but the most popular one is Plasmodium falciparum. The parasite is very deadly because it attack the red blood cells, and this red blood cells has heamoglobin which carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies, and then takes out carbon dioxide through the lungs. The attack of the Red blood cells by Plasmodium parasite leads to anemia which usually results to death.

Malaria is more common in Africa because this Anophele mosquito are widely found in African countries because of their weather condition. In Europe where the weather is very cold, Anophele mosquitoes can not easily survive.

Malaria is diagnosed by viewing blood sample under the microscope to determine the number of Plasmodium falciparum present in the red blood cell. There is also a strip that can be used to test for Plasmodium falciparum in the blood.

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Causes of Malaria

Source
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasite and it is transmitted by female Anophele mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected after biting someone that is already infected. There are so many ways Malaria can be spread, it includes:

• By mosquitoe bite : When mosquito bite an infected person, it becomes infected. When the infected mosquito bite a non infected person, the person becomes infected too.
• By blood transfusion: Plasmodium parasite cling on the red blood cells. Transfusion of blood from an infected person to a non-infected person spread Malaria. It very advisable to Carry out medical test before blood transfusion.
• Breeding of mosquitoes by keeping dirty water around your environs: Mosquitoes live in dirty water. When you keep dirty water close to your environment, it will breed mosquito and this will spread Malaria.

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Symptoms of Malaria

I have actually suffered from malaria a couple of times. There are some signs and symptoms that could indicate that your are suffering from malaria even without going for medical test.

Some of the symptoms include;

1. Night fever.

2. Headache.

3. Nausea.

4. Tiredness.

5. Body pain.

6. Lack of appetite.

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How common Malaria is in my City

Malaria is common in my city. Plasmodium parasite is usually present in everyone's blood stream. About 90% of sick people in my area is as a result of malaria. I think this is because the gutters along my street is open and there are always stagnant water in the gutter which breed mosquitoes. These mosquitoes then transmit Plasmodium parasite from one person to another.

Most people do no use mosquito repellent in their homes. They do not use mosquito nets to cover their windows and doors to prevent mosquito bites.

Again, most people do not have borehole, hence the reserve their water in containers without covering the container. Mosquitoes usually live in places like this and they will always bite people at night, there by infecting them with Malaria.

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Practical ways to prevent the spread of malaria

In other to stop the spread of malaria and eliminate mosquitoes around our environs, there are things that should be done, and they include:

1. Use of insecticide to kill mosquitoes
2. Daily environmental sanitization.
3. Use of mosquitoes net.
4. Appropriate testing of a blood donor before transfusion of blood..
5. Eat healthy food that will boost your immunity and then prevent your body from getting infected with malaria.

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Drugs I used that effectively treated malaria

There are so many drugs that are very effective for malaria, and I have used lots of them. The drugs ranges from injection drugs and oral drugs.
For injection I always use E Mal. E Mal is very effective. It is a three day intramuscular injection. After taking this injection you will become free from malaria.
For the oral drug, I usually use Lumefantrine and Artemether. This drug is very effective. I would recommend it for everyone.

Conclusion

Malaria is very deadly. Untreated malaria could lead to mental disorder. Health is wealth. Always ensure to take care of your health appropriately. Thank you.