Malaria: Learning About Safety Precautions and Symptoms
A good chunk of the United States is known for having humid continental weather conditions. This means that there are going to be hot summers and cold winters. But temperature isn’t the only thing that will change during these weather conditions: humidity and moisture will affect much of the environment.
Other parts of the country are known for their warm and humid climate. Many states like Louisiana, parts of Texas, Florida, and Hawaii are known for their highly humid climate. This humid climate can have a major influence on the flora and fauna of a certain area. This is especially true when it comes to pests and insects.
Normally, mosquitoes, termites, cockroaches, and earwigs are just some insects and pests that thrive in humid environments. While pests like termites are known for slowly chipping away at the integrity of your home’s structure, pests like mosquitoes are known for bringing in diseases.
Contrary to what most people think, mosquitoes are more than just a mild annoyance. These blood-sucking pests are known for causing endemics of dengue and malaria in many tropical countries around the world. But not only does this affect tropical countries, but this could also become prevalent in more humid states. In fact, there are around 2,000 cases of malaria that are diagnosed annually. Although this might seem like just a small endemic issue, many of these cases come from travelers that have been to different countries. That said, malaria can become an even more infectious disease if left unchecked.
Since temperatures and humidity are gradually going to rise in spring and summer, we only discuss the symptoms of malaria and safety precautions that we can take. Here’s what you’ll need to know.
What Is Malaria?
But before anything else, we’ll need to discern the nature of this disease if we want to stop it in its tracks. Malaria is a disease that is first transmitted, usually through parasites. In most cases, it’s in the form of an infected mosquito that bites an individual. The parasite then gets transmitted through the bite.
Although there might be only 2000 cases in the United States alone, some estimates and studies have theorized that around 210 million individuals get infected around the world every year. Out of these 210 million cases, around 400,000 to 450,000 die from malaria’s severe and deadly symptoms.
Fortunately, malaria is only present and isolated in several parts of the world. It’s known for being quite prevalent in Africa and has been a pressing issue for years since 93% of the deaths are usually there. However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t happen in other countries.
What’s the Difference Between Malaria and Dengue?
Much of the public is not quite sure of the difference between malaria and dengue. Although both might be similar in terms of transmission, there are some key differences. One of the recurring themes of Malaria is that it is typically carried by a female Anopheles mosquito which has a special form of chemical that causes malaria. On the other hand, mosquitoes that can transmit dengue are Aedes Aegypti.
In terms of symptoms, it’s harder to distinguish because they are both similar. However, dengue can cause rashes to the skin, while malaria does not show any rashes. Since both are quite different as pathogens, someone can get dengue and malaria at the same time.
So what are some ways of dealing with malaria? Here’s what you can do.
Addressing the Problem Directly
First and foremost, one of the best ways of reducing the likelihood of getting malaria in your area is by addressing potential breeding grounds of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are known for laying eggs on areas with stagnant water. If your home doesn’t have an effective drainage system or if water can easily get trapped in hard-to-reach areas when it rains, you might want to drain these areas.
If you’re not quite sure how you can remove mosquitoes and pests in your area, there are always professional pest control services that can eliminate mosquitoes with the right tools and equipment. Fortunately, mosquito control services can effectively identify breeding grounds of mosquitoes and flush them out in a timely and professional manner.
Protecting Yourself
Another good way of preventing malaria is by preventing mosquitoes from biting you in the first place. For homes situated in humid environments, you can place mosquito nets around your bed while placing mosquito repellent on exposed skin. When you’re outside your mosquito net, you might want to wear long-sleeved clothes that can mitigate exposed parts of your body.
In some cases, clinics and health professionals will offer medication that can prevent malaria during months when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
Malaria is endemic in many tropical countries and can be life-threatening if not addressed. Although it might cause severe symptoms, it’s also known for being preventable. The best way of stopping malaria is by protecting yourself and addressing possible nests of mosquitoes.
If you think that you are experiencing symptoms, it’s best to consult a medical professional as soon as possible since some symptoms can be quite acute.
