Malaria: Diagnosis and Treatment

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Contributing Factors
Prevention Strategies
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnostic Technique
Advance Practicing Nurse Role and Management Strategies
Medical and Pharmacological Management
Follow-Up Care
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Malaria is an illness instigated by a bug known as plasmodium, which attacks red blood cells and develops myriad symptoms that can be identified clinically; an example is the body’s hotness and shivering. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 2000 cases of malaria are reported each year (Mace et al., 2019). Travelers and immigrants from malaria-prone nations account for the majority of these cases. Malaria, generally, is a curable illness if it is recognized and treated early and effectively.

Contributing Factors

Several human and climatic factors promote the spread and prevalence of malarial infection in an area. Urbanization and new building development have led to pits and open construction sites that form breeding sites for mosquitoes. Migration and population movement have also encouraged malaria spread, where people infected in one region transfer the contamination to another part (Mace et al., 2019). High-temperature areas experience more incidence of malaria than cold ones. Despite the sickness being treatable, some parasites have developed resistance to medication. Mosquitoes, too, have developed resistance to insecticides, which causes the incidence of the disease, eventually contributing to more spread of malaria (Mace et al., 2019). Incompetent immunity of pregnant women and children below five years makes them more predisposed to the illness.

Prevention Strategies

The primary cause of malaria infection is being bitten by mosquitoes which carries malaria-causing parasites. Therefore, avoidance of mosquitoes is the fundamental prevention of disease. The above can be achieved by sleeping under an intact treated mosquito net and staying in a room with adequate air condition and free from dumpiness (Talapko et al., 2019). Application of mosquito repellant to the body is also very efficient because it contains diethyltoluamide. If one travels to malaria-risk areas, it is advisable to take prerequisite caution. When exposed to the disease, one should ensure they seek medical attention and be treated as soon as the symptoms start.

Signs and Symptoms

After a few weeks of parasite infestation into the human body, clinical signs and symptoms appear. Fever and flu-like conditions, including shivering chills, headaches, muscular pains, and weariness, are among these signs. Nausea, vomiting, as well as diarrhea, are other possible side effects. The infection. Malaria can induce anemia and jaundice due to loss of the red blood cells. Malaria episodes might also occur in cycles for certain people.

Diagnostic Technique

Several diagnostic techniques are used to confirm malaria; some of these are microscopy, which is the standard and most commonly used procedure. Observation of blood samples under the microscope is one of the procedure that detects the presence of any parasite that can cause the sickness (Talapko et al., l2019). The specific bug is also differentiated to promote targeted use of the desired treatment. The technique is most preferred because it shows a clear and distinct feature.

Serology is another type of test used with the aid of indirect fluorescent light, which can detect malaria antibodies. After exposure to the parasite, the body responds by producing antibodies. The test is not generally used because it cannot detect acute malaria cases. The last technique is a rapid diagnostic test that quickly determines the diagnosis. The procedure identifies the specific antigen in the blood sample, which takes about 15 minutes to obtain the results.

Advance Practicing Nurse Role and Management Strategies

Prevention of the causes of malaria is the fundamental responsibility that stops the spread of this disease. Advance Practicing Nurse (APN) plays a critical role in educating the inhabitants on the importance of refraining from exposure to conditions that cause the illness (Anam et al., 2019). They also administer medication and explain the possible effects of the drug to the patient. In addition, APNs participate in the performance of studies that would determine the spread pattern of malaria. The studies clearly understand diseases that will eventually encourage the appropriate intervention.

Medical and Pharmacological Management

Although most malaria parasites have gained resistance to many drugs, Chloroquine phosphate is still preferred as the most effective one. Additionally, coartem and artesunate-mefloquine are a merger of two or more drugs that fight the malaria parasite (Anam et al., 2019). Other regimen types include atovaquone, quinine sulfate with doxycycline, and primaquine phosphate (Anam et al., 2019). However, the type of drugs used to treat this sickness will be determined by the prevalence of the illness and the risk of chloroquine tolerance.

Follow-Up Care

Malaria is a notorious disease that can lead to recurrence when not adequately managed. Therefore, follow-up is necessary to ensure that all patient’s treatment plans are adhered to. It takes quite some time to treat this disease before it can clear off from the body. Thus, follow-up of a client is usually done 14-28 days after commencing treatment because the parasite is eliminated in the body after 28 days (Anam et al., 2019). Follow up is also done to assess possible side effects of the drugs and how the client is coping with them. Failure to adhere to the treatment leads to drug resistance, which prompts a modification of the treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, malaria is dangerous and can spread fast, and focusing on preventing the disease reduces the incidence drastically. Since the illness stifles the growth of individuals and communities, societies can generate economic development by maintaining efforts in malaria eradication and health improvement. The exciting thing is that science has advanced in this field, and some drugs can cure it. The symptomatic patients are urged to seek immediate medical attention to be diagnosed and start treatment.

References

Anam, L., Badi, M., Assada, M., & Al Serouri, A. (2019). Evaluation of two malaria surveillance systems in Yemen using updated CDC guidelines: Lessons learned and future perspectives.Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 56, 1-8. Web.

Mace, K. E., Arguin, P. M., & Tan, K. R. (2018). Malaria surveillance—the United States, 2015.MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(7), 1. Web.

Talapko, J., Škrlec, I., Alebić, T., Jukić, M., & Včev, A. (2019). Malaria: The past and the present.Microorganisms, 7(6), 179. Web.

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