World Malaria Day: Shield yourself from mosquitoes this summer

Every year, millions of people are at risk from mosquito bites. Moreover, as the weather pattern changes, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria cases rapidly see a surge. Let’s understand how to protect ourselves from malaria on World Malaria Day.

Most people think that malaria cases jump in the rainy season, but that’s not the case, as the disease is quite common during the summer season. As the weather turns warmer, it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that can affect anyone, irrespective of age, including children. “Malaria is still a concern in many parts of India. It is more active in areas where mosquitoes are more common, such as tropical or subtropical areas,” says Dr Purva Jain, Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist, Medicover Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. 

Who is at most risk of developing malaria?

Children who are under the age of five are at a higher risk of falling sick with malaria. This is because their immune system is not yet fully developed, which can hamper their ability to fight off parasites or illnesses.

Malaria occurring in children, or paediatric malaria, presents a wholly different set of challenges. It is prevalent to a greater extent in tropical and subtropical regions. “This infection is caused by a blood-borne parasite called Plasmodium. This parasite is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito,” warns Dr Abhimanyu Sengupta, Senior Consultant in General Paediatrics at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children, Pune.\

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“When your child gets bitten by an infected mosquito, the parasites enter their bloodstream and start to multiply quickly.”

Malaria alert: Spot the symptoms before they spot you 

The signs and symptoms of malaria differ in adults and children. Dr. Sengupta says, “Malaria in children may not show visible signs at first. However, the symptoms can include high fever, extreme weakness, episodes of vomiting, not wanting to eat anything, being cranky or crying a lot, seizures, yellow skin (jaundice), trouble breathing, dark-coloured urine, or very low energy.”

While adults may experience:

• Chills with fever ​​
• Muscle pain ​
• Decrease in platelets
• Anti-malarial drugs

Reasons for the increase in malaria in summer

The intensity and severity of these symptoms can vary depending on various factors. “Children are more vulnerable as their immune system is not yet fully developed. This can affect their ability to mount an immune response to these harmful parasites and result in severe forms of this disease, like cerebral malaria,” explains Dr. Sengupta.

Stay one step ahead: Smart tips to prevent Malaria

According to Dr. Jain, “If anyone is suffering from these symptoms, then it becomes crucial to get them tested quickly, especially if you have been living or have travelled to areas with increasing malaria cases.” He also shared some prevention tips:

• Use mosquito nets: Use mosquito nets, especially while sleeping, where the risk of mosquito bites is higher.
• Dress appropriately: Dress them appropriately in long sleeves and full pants for extra protection.
• Apply mosquito repellents: Always apply mosquito repellents.
• Keep windows and doors closed: Keep the doors and windows closed during the evening. There are no vaccines available in India against this disease, though some are under clinical trial. If they happen to experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, then immediately take them to a doctor without any delay.
• Take immediate steps: Your doctor may prescribe certain blood tests or a rapid test (RDT) to detect if it's malaria. If initially the test is negative but the child still has a fever, then consider going for a second test.

Treatment can vary depending on the type of malaria they have been diagnosed with. For the most dangerous kind (P. falciparum), doctors usually prescribe a special medicine called ACT (Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy). The other types can be treated with proper rest and certain medications.

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