Concerned about the rising malaria cases in Mumbai, Thane and nearby areas?
No worries!
This blog will educate you on the common types of malaria found in India, how this disease spreads, its various symptoms, and when you should contact a doctor.
What are the common types of Malaria?
There exist 4 common malaria types in India, of which two of them, P. vivax and P. falciparum are the most deadly. Let’s get a brief overview of each type.
Plasmodium vivax (P.v)
Prevalent across the globe, this malaria type causes around 60% of malaria infections in India, with many patients unable to survive the infection and the subsequent complications.
Symptoms of this type of malaria include bouts of fever, symptoms of flu, chills, fatigue, body weakness and diarrhoea.
Plasmodium falciparum (P.f)
The most dangerous of the malaria parasites, this type causes the most number of infections & deaths linked to malaria. The majority of the cases are found in South East Asia, Africa and South America.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anaemia, muscle & joint pain, etc. Early diagnosis is vital to surviving this type of malaria infection as it can negatively impact the brain & central nervous system of the patient, leading to convulsions, paralysis, etc.
Plasmodium malariae (P.m)
Comparatively less common to the above two malaria types, this type is reported to cause lower than 1% of malaria infections in the Indian subcontinent. Common symptoms comprise chills and high fever.
Plasmodium ovale (P.o)
The rarest kind of malaria infection, it’s only prevalent in the tropical regions of West Africa besides Liberia, Ghana & Nigeria. Symptoms include severe shivering & chills along with headache and muscle pain.
The speciality of this malaria type is that the parasite tends to stay dormant in the patient’s liver for as much as 4 years before causing an infection. This can lead to multiple malaria infections with a substantial time duration between them.
How do you identify the type of Malaria?
The quickest diagnosis of malaria type currently available and conducted by healthcare professionals comprises checking the patient’s blood smear under a microscope.
How do we get Malaria and what are the symptoms of Malaria?
Malaria is spread via:
- Female anopheles mosquito bite (infected with a malaria parasite)
- A malaria-infected pregnant mother to the unborn baby
- Sharing infected needles
- Blood transfusions from a malaria patient
- Organ transplant from a malaria patient
Malaria symptoms generally appear after 10-15 days of the parasite entering the body. Besides high fever, shivering, chills & sweating, other symptoms comprise:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Body Aches
- Bloody Stools
- Confusion
- Seizure
- Convulsions
- Kidney Failure
When to call a doctor about Malaria?
Considering the deadliness of malaria, it’s vital to consult a doctor and get yourself tested as fast as possible. This is especially significant in the case of babies, youngsters, pregnant women & senior citizens as they are at a greater risk of severe complications.
Also, if you have recently travelled to a malaria-endemic area and are experiencing fever, then it’s well-advised to get a malaria diagnostic test done.
Conclusion
Are you or any of your family members experiencing signs/symptoms of malaria?
Book a malaria diagnostic test at your nearby Clinico Diagnostic Centre by calling us 24×7 on 9504555555.
