Malaria is an exceedingly common tropical disease, which is also a global public health challenge. There are 230 million cases diagnosed every year. The parasite that is responsible for malaria resides predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa, South America, and Asia.

Plasmodium parasites cause malaria. They are microscopic single-celled organisms having six different species. The female Anopheles mosquito acts as the carrier of this parasite and, with each bite, transfers it to the bodies and bloodstreams of humans. The parasite matures in the liver of the infected individual and then attacks their red blood cells. Although human to human transfer of the parasite is uncommon, it is still possible when a healthy individual shares a needle or blood with the infected individual. 

Although there are six species of Plasmodium parasite which thrive inside the human body, there are two species that cause the most number of cases and are more common attackers. These include:

• Plasmodium Falciparum: This is the most common form of malaria parasite most prevalently found in Africa and its surrounding regions. It is also responsible for the most number of deaths.
• Plasmodium Vivax: This is the slower Plasmodium that can survive inside a human body for several months and not lead to any symptoms. Most South American and Asian countries get affected by this type of malaria.

The malaria parasite requires an incubation time, which can lie anywhere between 7-18 days. Some species can lie dormant for a long time in the liver of their host, causing no significant symptoms. The others start to grow and multiply. It is advised that if you develop any symptoms of malaria up to one year after returning from an endemic area you seek urgent medical attention. Malaria infections lead to a wide range of flu-like symptoms such as:

• Fever
• shivering
• sweating
• Muscle and joint aches
• Nausea
• Headache
• Diarrhoea and vomiting 
• Extreme tiredness

When the female Anopheles, which is the vector carrying the parasitic Plasmodium, bites and sucks the blood of an infected person, it engulfs the Plasmodium too and then transmits it to another host with another bite. Environmental factors play a huge role in allowing the time for the Plasmodium to live and prosper inside the Anopheles, which has a longer life span.

In most cases of malaria infection, the symptoms of the patient and their travel history are most commonly used to diagnose the condition. In cases where the bodily signs are not outrightly tangible to decide, blood tests are the next go-to method. The blood test indicates the species of the parasite and the exact amount of the parasite in the blood. You might also have to take some more blood and urine tests to diagnose any complications and a lumbar puncture test to rule out meningitis.

If the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is the species that has led to malaria in your body, you might face some severe and even life-threatening complications. That is possible in case of a lack of proper medication and delayed diagnosis. Some of the complexities are:

• A potential critical bout of anaemia due to the destruction of red blood cells
• Change in consciousness leading to fits or seizures
• Kidney failure and the subsequent shortness of breath
• Cerebraliver problems worsen into jaundice
• Breathlessness due to pulmonary oedema
• Sepsis or blood poisoning and acidosis
• Multiple infections due to malaria, causing the spleen to enlarge
• Excessive drop in blood sugar levels
• Organ failure
• Blood clotting

Most people get affected by malaria while travelling unprepared to countries where the problem already persists. With the constant uprising of the infection, healthcare providers worldwide recommend relying on the 4-step method to help prevent the spread of malaria. It goes as:

• A=Awareness of the risk. It is essential to let yourself be aware of any potential threat of malaria you might have to face in a country or place you are visiting. 

• B=Bite prevention. Since the Anopheles mosquito is most active during dusk and dawn, it is essential to protect oneself during that time by using insect repellents, mosquito nets, and wearing clothes that completely cover your body. 

• C=Chemoprophylaxis and other medications which help prevent the infection in the first place. Seek a medical checkup before taking any drug and make sure you follow the dosage and instructions of the medication precisely according to your prescription. Buy these medications from trusted suppliers such as MedsNow and others to make sure you receive a genuine quality medicine. 

• D=Diagnosis. It is crucial not to delay the diagnosis of the infection once you notice any symptoms.

No, malaria cannot spread by human contact. Since the parasitic Plasmodium lives and multiplies inside the bloodstream of an infected individual, it can't spread via saliva or physical touch. In situations of blood transfusion or organ transplant, however, the transmission is possible, but doctors take proper care to undertake blood tests before any of these processes are carried out.

The most commonly prescribed treatment for malaria includes the prescribed antimalarial medications. Even with the symptoms worsening by the day, it is possible to eliminate the entire batch of Plasmodium from your bloodstream by taking the drugs. Whether you will get admitted to the hospital or do the treatment from home will be decided by the type of malaria that hit you. Plasmodium falciparum patients require suitable and constant medical attention, so they need to stay in the hospital. Some of the medications for the malaria treatment include:

• Doxycycline - An antibiotic available in the form of a capsule or tablet. It is derived from tetracycline, taken, essentially, to prevent the development of malaria in people travelling to high-risk countries. 

• Atovaquone/Proguanil - It is a combination of two medicines that functions by killing the malarial parasite in the bloodstream. You can take it as a preventative medication before travel or as a proper treatment if infected. 

• Malarone - It is yet another combination of medications used as a prevention or treatment for malaria. It contains atovaquone and proguanil, both of which work together to kill the parasite P. falciparum.

• Lariam - The active ingredient in Lariam is known as mefloquine, and it works by restricting the growth of the malaria-causing parasite in the red blood cells of the

Malaria during pregnancy can prove fatal to both the mother and the baby. It, thus, becomes crucial to be additionally careful when travelling to or from a high-risk zone and take efficient precautionary measures and medical attention before, during, and after your trip to ensure that you are not infected. Depending on your pregnancy stage and other physical and biological factors, your doctor may recommend medications to you. 

Although it is entirely curable and preventable, it is up to you to ascertain that you carry a standby emergency malaria treatment with you when travelling to places with a higher risk of the infection. These emergency treatments come with their own set of uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, fatigue, rashes, and even diarrhoea. So, listen to your GP, know the possible risks and procedures, and follow the instructions accurately. 

1. Can you catch malaria from another person?

   No, since malaria is a non-contagious infection, you will not contract it from physical contact with an infected person.

2. Can I get malaria even if I take antimalarials? 

   It is possible that the antimalarials you are taking do not prevent the particular type of malaria you contract. So, in case you notice any symptoms while taking the antimalarial medication, contact your GP immediately.

3. can I give blood if I've had malaria?

   Unless your blood tests prove that your bloodstream is Plasmodium free, your doctor will not allow you to donate blood.

4. Can malaria symptoms come back after treatment?

   Yes, even after suitable treatment, it is possible for the body to relapse and show some symptoms of the infection. Another dosage of the medication under the guidance of a professional will, however, prove to be helpful.

5. What is the pathogen of malaria?

   The Plasmodium parasite and its various species are the pathogen of malaria.

6. What type of pathogen causes malaria?

   Plasmodium parasites are the source of malaria. Humans are the only significant reservoir for four Plasmodium species—Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae—all of which cause disease in people.

7. What type of disease is malaria?

   Malaria is a parasitic infection whose symptoms include severe bouts of unendurable fever and fatigue.

8. Is malaria a virus?

   A virus or bacteria cannot cause malaria. Plasmodium, a parasite that often spreads through infected mosquitoes, is what causes malaria. A mosquito consumes Plasmodia that are present in blood when it feeds on an infected human.

9. Is malaria a protist?

   Yes, mosquitoes that carry the Plasmodium protist spread malaria.

10. Can malaria be cured?

    Yes, the wide range of medications available with pharmacies such as MedsNow can help cure as well as prevent the onset of malaria.

11. Where is malaria most common?

    The tropical countries of sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and Southern parts of America are the most high-risk zones for malaria.

12. Which mosquito causes malaria?

    The female Anopheles mosquito is the possible vector (carrier) of the Plasmodium pathogen.