Causes of malaria

Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite which is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito bites. After a mosquito bite, the parasite enters the body and occupies the liver where the parasite can grow and multiply.

 When parasites grow and mature, the parasites leave the liver and damage red blood cells. Damage to red blood cells causes symptoms of anemia in patients.

In addition to mosquito bites, the spread of malaria parasites can also occur due to exposure to blood from those who suffer from it. Some conditions that can cause a person to contract malaria are:

• The fetus is infected by its mother
• Receive blood transfusions
• Share the use of syringes
• Organ retractor

The severity of malaria symptoms varies from person to person. Residents living in areas affected by many cases of malaria are immune to half of the disease, so the symptoms will not be too severe.

However, half of the immunity can be lost when a person moves to an area where malaria is not common. People who do not have half immunity may have more severe symptoms of malaria.

Symptoms of malaria can also be serious and cause complications if they occur in:

• A toddler
• Parents
• Pregnant woman and the fetus she is carrying

Malaria type
There are many types of malaria that are distinguished by the type of parasite that infects Plasmodium. However, only five types of Plasmodium infect humans, namely:

• Malaria in Falciparum
• Caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This type of malaria is the most dangerous because it causes severe malaria with complications. Most deaths from malaria are related to this type of malaria.

Malaria on Vivax
The Plasmodium vivax parasite that causes vivax malaria can survive in a state of inactivity of the liver for several months or even years. Thus, this type of malaria can recur when the parasite becomes active.

Oval Malaria
This type is caused by the Plasmodium ovale parasite and the symptoms are not serious and sometimes improve without treatment.

malaria
This type of malaria causes symptoms only after being infected for a long time by the parasite Plasmodium malariae. Therefore, this type of malaria will be vulnerable to chronic infections and will also be associated with impaired kidney function.

Get to know Malaria
Similar to P. falciparum malaria, malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi can also develop rapidly and worsen, even if the initial symptoms are mild.

Share this post