{"id":7827,"date":"2019-07-04T05:51:17","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T05:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7827"},"modified":"2021-04-20T13:16:07","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T13:16:07","slug":"14-first-signs-of-malaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-first-signs-of-malaria\/","title":{"rendered":"14 First Signs of Malaria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Malaria is a serious and dangerous condition that is commonly transmitted via the bite of mosquitos. More specifically, it is spread via the infected Anopheles mosquito, carrying the plasmodium parasite. This is transferred to patients when the mosquito bites, which can lead to a number of serious symptoms and eventually may prove life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once inside the body, the parasites will travel to the liver to mature. It will spend several days here, before infecting the blood. 48-72 hours following this step, the parasites will then multiply over and over, causing the blood cells to burst open. The parasites will infect more and more red blood cells, which will result in cyclic symptoms lasting around three days at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is most common for malaria to be contracted in tropical and subtropical climates. This is where the parasites are located. According to the WHO (world health organization), there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2016 alone \u2013 across 91 different countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 1,700 cases annually. The majority of these cases involve tourists and travelers that have visited other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaria can develop serious complications if left untreated, so it is crucial to be able to identify the possible signs of this condition and to take the necessary action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with many types of infection, malaria <\/a>will trigger an infection. This is the body\u2019s way of trying to drive out the infection and restore the body to normal health. The fever will likely feel similar to any other infection, such as flu.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, the body is attempting to raise the core temperature and thereby make the body into a more hostile environment for invaders. Unfortunately, this also has knock-on effects for the patient, causing them to experience chills, sweating, tiredness and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fever itself is not the problem then and shouldn\u2019t cause harm. You should, however, ensure that it does not go too high and should keep drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Headache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A headache <\/a>is commonly associated with malaria, to the point that it is considered an important presentation that can aid with diagnosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The headache here is likely caused by cytokines \u2013 specific inflammatory proteins released by the body in response to the production of waste and toxic chemicals. This causes inflammation, which can help to combat the infection.  However, it can also affect the brain, causing the brain to become inflamed therefore resulting in a headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are other reasons for headache though too. Headache can result from dehydration for example, as this causes the brain to shrink and thereby pull away from the inside of the skull resulting in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, headaches can be the result of malaria treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Diarrhea and Vomiting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as the fever is elevated to try and make the body a less hospitable environment, so too is vomiting and diarrhea <\/a>used by the body in order to try and force out the invaders. The assumption is that something you\u2019ve eaten may have poisoned you, and so your body will attempt to \u2018flush the system\u2019 by causing you to vomit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, diarrhea can be another way that the body tries to purge its system. This will also be due to the toxins and waste products that will have entered the bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Muscle Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muscle pain and joint aches are also common for a range of different conditions that are associated with infections of some kind. This is once again due to the creation of pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause swelling in the joints and muscle, leading to pain. At the same time, increased stress hormones like cortisol <\/a>actually increase our acuity when it comes to sensing pain \u2013 so you might notice that historic pains and injuries start to \u2018flare-up\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle pain can also occur along with tiredness, fatigue, and lethargy \u2013 all consequences of the body being drained while fighting infection. Note that muscle pain is not considered a useful characterization in diagnosing malaria. It cannot tell us anything about the condition on its own but is useful when assessed in conjunction with other symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Cyclic Discomfort<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are trying to tell the difference between malaria and another form of infection, then it can be useful to consider the often-cyclic nature of the disease. That is to say, that often the worst symptoms are felt in three day periods with gaps in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons for this. But it ultimately comes down to the nature of the parasite. All the symptoms of malaria are caused by the asexual erythrocytic parasites. That is to say, the parasites that are at a specific point in their maturation cycle. This stage is also known as the blood stage. During this stage, the parasite <\/a>will produce a number of waste products, including hemozoin pigment, and other toxic substances. These will be placed in the bloodstream, resulting in a number of unwanted side effects. The toxic factors are what will stimulate the body to produce macrophages and other immune responses to produce cytokines.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to think of this then is as the actual symptoms being caused by specific generations. As each generation ages, the waste products and harm it produces reduces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. 7-14 Days Onset After Travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When looking at symptoms in order to try and diagnose a case of malaria, it\u2019s also useful to think about the context and risk factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you have lived in the US your entire life and have never traveled, then your likelihood of having contracted malaria is very low. It is possible to have malaria, but it is something that most doctors would rule outright from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you traveled recently, then you might have contracted the condition while overseas. This is more likely if the first symptoms began to show somewhere between 7-14 days after your return. This is how long it takes for the parasites to go through a whole life cycle. Remember that upon initially being infected, malaria will travel to the liver where it will mature. This is often referred to as the \u2018incubation period<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that said, another form of malaria caused by the P.vivax parasite and found predominantly outside of sub-Saharan Africa is able to lie dormant for many years following the mosquito bite. Therefore, if you have traveled abroad in the last few years, then the chances of having malaria are low, but not impossibly so!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Jaundice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice <\/a>is a condition that causes an individual to appear slightly yellowish. Jaundice can have many causes, but in the case of malaria, it is likely caused by the death of red blood cells. Remember that the parasites will eventually travel from the liver during the incubation period into the blood, where they will infect the red blood cells. Upon multiplying to a certain degree, the parasites will cause the blood cells to explode, thereby reducing the number of red blood cells for that individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as causing jaundice and discoloration, this can also cause anemia. This is a condition characterized by low red blood cell counts and which is often caused by low iron or vitamin B12. In this case however, the parasites are destroying the blood cells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of anemia include pale-looking skin, tiredness, breathlessness, and potentially hormonal changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Organ Failure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Organ failure is caused by low red blood cell counts, which in turn cause a lower supply of energy <\/a>and nutrition for those muscles. This, in turn, can lead to a large number of serious side effects, as those organs fail to properly do their jobs. Likewise, this can also eventually lead to difficulty breathing as the lungs similarly stop functioning as they normally should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect you have contracted a case of anemia, then it is highly important to speak with a doctor who can prescribe the best course of treatment. Malaria is generally curable, but only if it is caught early on. Make sure to look out for these signs and to speak to a professional if you have any concerns at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As discussed, one of the first signs of malaria to show up is a high fever. The body uses a fever as an automatic natural defense against invading pathogens, and in the case of malaria, the patient’s temperature can run very high. The patient may notice that even though they are running a high fever, they experience the onset of chills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chills <\/a>occur due to the body catching up do the new temperature setpoint set by the fever. When an illness occurs, the brain signals the hypothalamus to tell the body to increase the production of pyrogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pyrogens are proteins that attach to nerve endings in the lower back, signaling the central nervous system to turn up the heat and induce a fever. It takes a few minutes for the body to catch up to the new temperature setpoint, and during this time, the patient may feel cold and experience chills. After attending the new temperature setpoint, the chills decrease, and the fever persists. Patients will continue to field shows as the setpoint temperature elevates, and as the fever breaks, the chills will subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a patient contract malaria, they start to vomit and may experience symptoms of diarrhea. As a result of losing body fluids through diarrhea, the patient may begin to exhibit signs of dehydration. Dehydration is one of the more severe complications related to malaria. If left untreated, dehydration <\/a>can result in a mineral imbalance and a loss of electrolytes, which results in the onset of seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body is more than 60% water, and when we experience dehydration, it places tremendous pressure on both the physiology and neurology of the patient. In severe cases of dehydration, the patient requires the administration of intravenous fluids to replace liquids and minerals in the body. Doctors recommend that patients drink plenty of mineral water after experiencing a bowel movement, and the use of sports drinks is not appropriate for this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While sports drinks contain electrolytes that assist in hydration, they also have a significant amount of sugar, which may exacerbate the effects of dehydration in the patient, resulting in the onset of seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Cognitive Dysfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first signs of malaria is the development of a high fever in the patient. When a fever starts to grip the body, the patient may notice that they begin to experience problems with cognitive function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction include brain fog, which is an inability to think clearly. When the brain is in a dehydrated state, their cognitive awareness of the infected individual will rapidly deteriorate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the symptoms progress, the patient may lose all ability to communicate effectively with any caregiver, and they may become unaware of their surroundings. The loss of cognitive ability is especially dangerous for those patients that live alone. When the fever strikes and reaches a high temperature, the patient may be unable to provide themselves with the assistance they need to remain hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of dehydration and a high fever coupled with cognitive dysfunction, the patient may receive the onset of a seizure<\/a>, which could be a life-threatening event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Delirium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dangerous symptoms occurring due to malaria infection are as a result of dehydration due to diarrhea. We’ve already discussed how the effects of dehydration can diminish the patient’s cognitive abilities. If the patient experiences a prolonged period of high fever, it may result in the onset of delirium<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delirium is a condition where the patient loses contact with the outside world, and even though they may remain conscious, they are unaware of their surroundings and are unable to communicate with caregivers. As a result, the patient loses the ability to tell the caregiver what they are experiencing physiologically and mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delirium may come and go depending on the fever, and patients may find that they slip in and out of delirium until the fever breaks. During this stage, it’s vital the caregivers keep the patient hydrated, but they may find it hard to get them to drink water in the grips of delirium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, it’s best to admit the patient to the hospital where they can rehydrate using IV fluids, under the supervision of a qualified medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Coma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most severe symptom involved with malaria infection are seizures that occur as a result of dehydration. In a dehydrated state, the body runs low in essential minerals and electrolytes that maintain the central nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of a loss of electrolytes and essential minerals, coupled with dehydration, the patient may experience the onset of delirium, which may progress to seizure. In some cases, patients that receive seizure symptoms will recover after rehydrating. However, in some cases of malaria involving strains that affect the brain, such as cerebral malaria, the patient may not recover from the seizure, and instead, they slip into a coma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cerebral malaria is one of the deadlier strains of the disease, and survival rates are low, especially in those patients that do not serve immediate treatment for the condition. Once the patient enters a Comatose<\/a> state, the consciousness experiences impairment, and brain activity begins to slow. Patients that reach this stage of the disease have a meager survival rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The development of malaria comes with several risk factors attached to the occurrence of the disease. If you find yourself mentioned in any of the high-risk groups below, then we recommend that you take preventative measures to avoid contracting this potentially deadly disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel to high-risk areas –\u00a0malaria is only present in some areas of the world, typically around the equator. Malaria mosquitoes <\/a>do not survive in high elevations. Therefore, they assemble and breed in areas around sea level, or up to a few thousand feet above sea level.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of preventative measures – Those individuals traveling to high-risk areas that do not take preventative measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, may end up contracting malaria. It’s vital that you cover up during the evenings and early mornings when mosquitoes are most active. Sleep with a mosquito net, and drink plenty of tonic water, as the quinine in the beverage will keep mosquitoes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>