Malaria continues to be a major global public health problem, particularly among children and they are still suffering from the disease, especially in endemic areas. It’s important to have knowledge about malaria symptoms, prevention, and treatment among children to reduce the burden of disease. This article will focus on malaria in children, providing some tips and advice to parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a life-threatening disease that results from parasites transmitted to humans by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasites of human importance belong to the Plasmodium species, and the two most prevalent in numerous countries are Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Malaria can cause fever, chills, and flu-like illness, and can lead to severe and sometimes fatal disease if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Symptoms of Malaria in Children
Once a mosquito bites someone, symptoms of malaria can start 9-14 days later, becoming more severe with further bites. Symptoms in children can be particularly acute, and the best way to spot them is to be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Fever: The most reliable presence and first symptom: fever can be intermittent, striking, and departing like an open and shut door in malarial fevers.
- Chills and Sweats: Your chills might be followed by drenching sweats as the fever spikes upwards.
- Headache: Persistent headaches are common, and they may be severe.
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea: These gastrointestinal symptoms, which often accompany malaria cases, cause a child to lose more water and become more dehydrated.
- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy: The child may be tired or lack energy well beyond what is normal for their level of activity.
- Anemia: Malaria can cause anemia, which involves a deficiency in red blood cells and can manifest as pale skin, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat.
In severe instances, malaria causes complications such as cerebral malaria (which affects the brain), severe anemia, and respiratory distress, and prompt medical care can help a patient overcome these complications.
Prevention of Malaria in Children
You can prevent malaria by taking steps to avoid mosquito bites and reduce their populations. Here are some effective strategies:
- Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs): Hang an ITN around your child’s bed to create a barrier against mosquitoes. ITNs, treated with insecticide, effectively repel or kill mosquitoes, helping to prevent malaria. Ensure the net is taut and in good condition.
- Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS): Spray insecticides indoors to kill mosquitoes that enter your home. This reduces the mosquito population and lowers your risk of malaria infection.
- Eliminate Stagnant Water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Regularly empty and clean old tires, flower pots, and buckets to eliminate breeding sites.
- Use Mosquito Repellents: Apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin and clothing to protect against bites. Choose repellents that are safe for children.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Dress children in long-sleeved shirts and long pants during peak mosquito times, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Health Education: Raise awareness in your community about the importance of malaria prevention and the precautions necessary to reduce its spread. Educating others helps lower malaria cases.
Treatment Options for Malaria in Children
Treatment of malaria involves early diagnosis and prompt initiation, followed by specific medicine according to parasites and the severity of the illness.
Antimalarial Drugs The mainstay of malaria treatment consists of antimalarial drugs. The choice of treatment depends on the species of the malaria parasite and the patient’s age. Commonly used antimalarial drugs include:
- Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs): these are the best treatments for uncomplicated malaria caused by P. falciparum.
- Chloroquine: It is used in the treatment of P vivax malaria; however, in certain regions, resistance is increasing.
- Primaquine: Given after chloroquine to prevent relapse when Plasmodium vivax is the causative agent and liver stages remain after treatment.
- Hospitalization: Some patients with severe malaria will require hospitalization for intravenous antimalarial treatment and supportive care.
- Careful Monitoring of Symptoms and Basic Supportive Care: Monitor symptoms closely and provide basic supportive care, including antipyretics for fever, hydration, and nutritional support.
- Monitoring and Follow-Up: this is essential to ensure the treatment is working and to detect side effects or complications.
Malaria is still a major health issue for children, especially in endemic areas. Community development is important to the treatment of malaria. Marginalized people without access to clinics need community-based prevention such as insecticide-treated nets, health education in the community, and a community that can take the patient to medical services when needed.
Parents and carers who know the symptoms of malaria might be able to keep children with fever out of the sun and from the bite of mosquitoes, children who receive a diagnosis and the right treatment can recover quickly, and clinicians or epidemiologists who diagnose and manage cases can prevent the spread of malaria through education, prompt testing, and early treatment.
