Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is still prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries such as Africa, Asia, Central America, and South America. However, malaria can easily be prevented if you’re travelling in high-risk countries by using mosquito repellent, bed nets, and protective clothing to protect you while traveling.
You can also take preventive anti-malarial medication before, during, and after a trip to a high-risk area. Visit your local Anna Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Sutton, Hackbridge, or Carshalton to consult with a travel health expert about malaria prevention and anti-malarial medication.
Malaria usually causes flu-like symptoms, but if left-untreated complications can develop in different parts of the body which can be life-threatening. Learn more about it in this article.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is caused by a parasite that infects a mosquito and then the infected mosquito spreads it to humans through bites. People with malaria usually experience flu-like symptoms and should seek medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
Malaria symptoms typically start within one to two weeks after being bitten by a malaria-infected mosquito. Some common symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- General feeling of discomfort
- Headache
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- Cough
Which Part of The Body Does Malaria Affect?
Malaria can be fatal, particularly when left untreated or if it’s caused by the plasmodium species of mosquito. If not treated promptly, the symptoms mentioned above can cause complications and affect different parts of the body, such as:
Brain – Cerebral malaria happens when parasite-filled blood cells block blood vessels to your brain which causes swelling of your brain or brain damage.
Lungs – This infectious mosquito-borne disease can causemflu-like symptoms that cause the body to accumulate fluid in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
Kidney, Liver, and Spleen – In severe cases of malaria, it can cause damage to the liver and kidneys or cause a rupture in the spleen which can be life-threatening.
Blood – Malaria can cause both anaemia and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which can result in coma or death in their advanced stages.
Anna Pharmacy Travel Clinic – South London
Before travelling to countries that still have outbreaks of malaria infections, visit your local Anna Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Wallington to get the advice and medication needed to prevent malaria. In addition to Wallington, Anna Pharmacy also has travel clinic branches in South London including Hackbridge and Carshalton.