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Common Diseases In Humans Malaria

By Swati Singh

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Updated on 23 Apr 2025, 12:04 IST

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in humans, especially in tropical regions. It is a vector-borne infection, which means it spreads through the bite of certain insects—in this case, the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite from the Plasmodium species. This disease can be dangerous if not treated quickly, but it is also preventable and treatable with the right care.

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What is Malaria?

Malaria is a parasite disease that affects the human body when a mosquito carrying the malaria parasite bites a person. The Plasmodium parasite travels into the bloodstream and infects red blood cells, causing a variety of symptoms. The most serious type of malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to death if not treated on time.

What Causes Malaria in Humans?

Malaria is caused by four main types of Plasmodium parasites:

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  1. Plasmodium falciparum – the most dangerous type
  2. Plasmodium vivax
  3. Plasmodium ovale
  4. Plasmodium malariae

These parasites are passed to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, which usually bites at night. Once inside the body, the parasite goes through a lifecycle—starting in the liver and then entering the bloodstream.

How is Malaria Transmitted?

Malaria is not contagious like the flu or cold. It cannot spread from one person to another directly. Instead, the vector (mosquito) picks up the parasite from the blood of an infected person and passes it on when it bites someone else.

Common Diseases In Humans Malaria

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Symptoms of Malaria

The most common symptoms of malaria include:

  • High fever and chills
  • Sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Body aches
  • Tiredness
  • In some cases, confusion or seizures

These symptoms usually appear 7 to 30 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. In severe cases, malaria complications can include organ failure, coma, or death.

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How is Malaria Diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose malaria by doing a blood test for malaria, which checks for the presence of the parasite. In areas where malaria is common, doctors may begin treatment based on symptoms even before test results come back.

Treatment of Malaria in Humans

Malaria can be treated using anti-malarial drugs. Some common medicines include:

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  • Chloroquine
  • Quinine
  • Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)

Treatment depends on the type of malaria, how sick the person is, and whether the parasite is resistant to certain medicines.

Prevention of Malaria

The best way to stay safe is to prevent malaria in the first place. Here are some useful malaria prevention methods:

  • Use mosquito nets when sleeping
  • Apply mosquito repellent
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing at night
  • Remove standing water near homes
  • Take preventive anti-malarial pills if traveling to malaria endemic areas

Human Body Response to Malaria

When the parasite enters the body, the immune system tries to fight it off. This causes fever and other symptoms. However, in some cases, the immune system is not strong enough, and the disease becomes more serious. People living in malaria-endemic areas may develop some immunity over time, but children and pregnant women are still at high risk.

Malaria and Other Common Diseases

Malaria is one of many common diseases in humans, but it is different from others like dengue, typhoid, or tuberculosis. For example, both malaria and dengue are caused by mosquito bites, but dengue is caused by a virus, not a parasite. A malaria vs dengue comparison shows that malaria often causes chills and sweating, while dengue causes joint pain and rashes.

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Vaccines and Global Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has worked for many years to reduce the number of malaria cases. Recently, malaria vaccines like RTS,S/AS01 have been introduced in some countries to protect children. However, prevention through mosquito control and early treatment is still the most effective way to fight the disease.

Conclusion

Malaria continues to be a major health problem, especially in warm climates where mosquitoes are common. By understanding how malaria is transmitted, learning the symptoms of malaria, and using prevention methods, we can protect ourselves and others. With better awareness, diagnosis, and treatment, malaria can be controlled and lives can be saved.

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FAQs on Common Diseases In Humans Malaria

What is malaria?

Malaria is a common disease in humans caused by a Plasmodium parasite. It spreads when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a person and passes the parasite into their blood.

What causes malaria in humans?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, mostly Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. These parasites enter the body through mosquito bites and infect red blood cells.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

The symptoms of malaria include:

Fever and chills

Headache

Nausea

Sweating

Body pain

In serious cases, it can lead to confusion, coma, or even death.

How is malaria transmitted?

Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. It is a vector-borne disease, not a contagious one. This means it does not spread directly from person to person.

Is malaria contagious?

No, malaria is not contagious. It cannot be spread through touch, air, or water. Only mosquito bites can pass the infection from one person to another.

How is malaria diagnosed?

Doctors use a blood test for malaria to find the parasite. In areas where malaria is very common, doctors may start treatment based on symptoms even before test results.

What is the treatment for malaria in humans?

Malaria is treated with anti-malarial drugs like:

Chloroquine

Quinine

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) Treatment depends on the type of Plasmodium parasite and how serious the illness is.

How can we prevent malaria?

Some effective malaria prevention methods include:

Sleeping under mosquito nets

Using mosquito repellents

Wearing long clothes

Cleaning areas where mosquitoes breed

Taking preventive medication before traveling to malaria endemic areas

What type of mosquito causes malaria?

Only the female Anopheles mosquito spreads malaria. It usually bites during the night.

How does malaria affect the human body?

Malaria parasites attack the liver first and then move into the bloodstream, where they infect red blood cells. This causes fever, chills, and weakness. If untreated, it can damage vital organs.

What are the complications of malaria?

In severe cases, malaria can lead to:

Organ failure

Low blood sugar

Coma

Death, especially in children and pregnant women

Is there a vaccine for malaria?

Yes, there is a malaria vaccine called RTS,S/AS01, but it is still new and not widely available. Most people still rely on prevention and early treatment to stay safe.

What is the difference between malaria and dengue?

Both are mosquito-borne diseases, but:

Malaria is caused by a parasite

Dengue is caused by a virus Malaria causes chills and sweating, while dengue often leads to rashes and joint pain.

What are malaria endemic areas?

These are regions where malaria occurs regularly, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas such as parts of Africa, Asia, and South America.

What role does the World Health Organization (WHO) play in malaria control?

The WHO helps countries prevent and treat malaria by offering guidelines, distributing medicines, and promoting the use of malaria vaccines and bed nets.