Malaria

Why know malaria?

It kills thousands of Kenyan children and adults every year.

We lost coach Benjamin Ayimba in 2021 at a mere age of 44 years. There is no greater awakening than this as to how severe malaria can be.

He was a prominent representation of the millions of lives that have silently been lost to malaria.

It is 100% curable and preventable

Who is at risk for malaria?

All of us

Some people are at higher risk of severe malaria than others;

  • Children especially under 5

  • Pregnant women

  • HIV positive

  • Sickle cell disease

  • Alcoholics

  • Visitors from a place without malaria/with low malaria

  • Anyone who has had their spleen removed during an operation

  • Malnourished

If you’re unwell with signs of malaria and belong to any of these groups you must get treated early

Signs and symptoms of non severe malaria-Children

  • Fever

    (Children may have seizures when they have a high fever)

  • Excessive sleep

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Joint pain

  • Headache

  • Cough

Signs and symptoms of non severe malaria-Adults

  • Fever -the fever may happen on alternate days or every 2-3 days

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Diarrhea

  • Joint and muscle pain

  • Poor appetite

  • Feeling your heart racing

  • Feeling tired

These are the signs you or someone you know has severe malaria and need urgent treatment.

  • Confusion

  • Seizures

  • Trouble breathing

  • Black urine-looks like coca cola

  • Feeling dizzy and tired

  • Easy bleeding

  • Coma

  • Low blood sugar

  • Cold hands and legs

  • Yellow eyes

The common medicines used for severe malaria are

  1. Artesunate

  2. Quinine

They are all in the form of a drip or injection. Starting early is important.

Malaria in pregnancy

Malaria is dangerous in pregnancy because the parasite can hide in the body and be difficult to detect until its too late.

The risk is highest in the last six months of pregnancy

Symptoms

  • Fever

  • vomiting

  • joint and muscle pain

  • diarrhea

  • sweating

  • feeling cold

  • feeling tired

  • coughing

  • feeling breathless

  • feeling the heart racing

  • dizziness

  • yellow eyes

  • abdominal pain

  • confusion

Why know about malaria in pregnancy

Malaria in pregnancy can cause

  • Death of the mother

  • Death of the baby

  • Malaria in the baby

  • An underweight baby

  • A premature birth of the baby

  • Low blood levels in the mother

  • High blood pressure during pregnancy

Treat early

Early treatment is important in avoiding complications.

If you have symptoms of severe or non severe malaria, get treatment early.

Always complete the full dose of treatment.

Common anti-malarials available for treatment include:

  • Artemether Lumefantrine- known as “A. L”

  • Atovaquone/proguanil

When do I need admission?

  • If you have any symptoms of severe malaria above

  • If you are pregnant and have malaria

  • Children under 5 with malaria

  • Children with symptoms of malaria who cannot drink adequately or take medication cause of vomiting

  • Anyone who cannot take tablets due to excess vomiting

  • Anyone listed as being at higher risk of severe malaria can be considered for admission depending on a doctor’s assessment and blood tests

How to prevent malaria

  • If pregnant, postpone travelling to places with high malaria until after delivery, if it is possible.

  • Sleep under nets.

  • If you are working between sunset and sunrise make sure you take measures to reduce mosquito bites. Most bites occur when we are still awake.

  • Wear long sleeved clothes.

  • Use mosquito repellants and mosquito coils.

  • Cut long grass and bushes and drain stagnant water

  • Take anti-malarials when travelling

  • The doctor can prescribe anti-malarial medication to prevent you getting malaria. This is done if your pregnant, and come from a place with high malaria, even if the malaria test is negative.

  • Anti malaria medication can also be given to HIV positive women who are pregnant in places with high malaria, to prevent malaria.

  • Malaria vaccine