Effective Home Remedies to Fight Malaria

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by the Plasmodium parasite and spreads by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is the most common infectious tropical disease and is an enormous public health issue. People who are affected by malaria often complain of high fever associated with chills and flu-like symptoms.

How Common is Malaria?

According to research studies, it is estimated that every year nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and nearly 4,00,000 people die of the disease.According to the studies, in the year 2020, it is estimated that 241 million cases of malaria have occurred worldwide and 6,27,000 people died due to malaria, mostly children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Causes of Malaria:

Malaria is caused due to single-celled parasite called Plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to the human being through the female anopheles mosquito bite.

Mosquito transmission cycle:

• Uninfected mosquito: A mosquito by feeding on a person who has malaria, then the mosquito becomes infected.
• Transmission of parasite: If the mosquito bites the person in the future, it can transmit a malaria parasite to the person.
• In the liver: Once the plasmodium parasite enters the body, they travel to the liver, where some types of parasites stay there for as long as a year. 
• Into the bloodstream: when these parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect the red blood cells. This is the time when the patients develop the symptoms.
• Transmission to another person: when an uninfected parasite bites the person, now in such instances the parasite becomes infected and can spread to other people if it bites.

Other modes of transmission are listed below:

• From mother to an unborn child
• Through blood transfusion
• By sharing needles used to inject drugs.

Risk factors associated with Malaria:

There is an increased risk of developing malaria, in the places where they live or visit areas where the disease’s incidence is high. The degree of risk depends upon several factors such as seasonal changes in malarial rates, local malaria control, and the precaution taken to prevent the spread of disease from the mosquito bite. The incidence is high in subtropical and tropical areas. They include:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Pacific islands
• South and South-East Asia
• Central America and Northern South America.
• Dominican Republic and Haiti

People who are at higher risk of getting malaria are:

• Older adults (>65 years)
• Young children
• Infants
• People who have a weak immune system
• Pregnant women and their unborn child
• Travellers coming from areas where there is no malaria.

In most areas, the incidence becomes high due to several factors which include- a lack of preventive measures to avoid the spread of the infection, and a lack of medical care.

Symptoms associated with Malaria:

The signs and symptoms associated with malaria are listed below:

• High temperature (fever) associated with chills
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Muscle and joint pain
• Rapid breathing, a sore throat, cough
• Rapid heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue or generalized weakness
• Profuse sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody stools
• Anemia
• Convulsions

Diagnosis of Malaria:

When the patient notices any of the above-mentioned symptoms, the patient should consult the doctor immediately.

• Physical examination- During the physical examination, the doctor will examine the patient. The doctor will record the travel history of the patient, their medical history, or if any of their family members are affected with malaria recently. The doctor in order to confirm the condition will advise the patient to undergo a couple of tests. They are listed below:
• Blood investigations- They include- a complete blood count to test anemia, blood culture, liver function test, renal function test, electrolyte levels, and rapid HIV testing.
• Microscopic examination of the blood cells.
• RDT (rapid diagnostic testing) done for the parasites, which can provide results within 2-15 minutes.
• Imaging studies- they include- chest radiography, and a CT scan of the head to evaluate the evidence of cerebral hemorrhage or edema.
• Lumbar puncture- During this test, a thin needle is placed in between the spine, and draw CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and sent for laboratory test. This procedure is advised only in cases where the patient exhibits mental status changes.
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay testing- it is a very specific and sensitive test to check if species of plasmodium parasite is present in the bloodstream of the patient.
• Blood smears test

Treatment of Malaria:

Malaria is a condition that can be treated completely. Early diagnosis and treatment will result in an overall good prognosis for the patient. The treatment plan and the duration of the treatment will vary from person to person. They depend on the type of malaria parasite, the severity of the symptoms, the age of the patient, the pregnancy status of the female, and the overall condition of the patient. The treatment options available to treat malaria are listed below:

• Medications

Malaria can be treated through anti-malarial drugs. They include:

• Chloroquine Phosphate: it is considered a treatment of choice for any malarial parasite type that is sensitive to the drug. But in many countries, the parasites are resistant to chloroquine phosphate drug, hence it is no longer recommended.
• Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs): as the name suggests, it is a combination of two or more drugs that work against the malarial parasite in different ways.
• Atovaquone- proguanil (malarone)
• Quinine-sulfate (qualaquin) with doxycycline (Oracea, Vibramycin, and others).
• Primaquine sulfate.
• Quinidine gluconate
• Tetracyclin
• Clindamycin
• Mefloquine
• Other drugs include- antipyretics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs are indicated to minimize the discomfort caused by infection and reduce the fever, and pain.

Complications associated with Malaria:

The complications associated with malaria are listed below:

• Cerebral malaria- during this condition, there is swelling of the brain or brain damage. It can cause seizures and coma.
• Pulmonary edema- accumulation of fluid in the lungs can result in causing breathing problems.
• Shock- a sudden drop in blood pressure
• Organ failure- malaria if left untreated can result in causing kidney damage, liver damage, or can result in spleen rupture. Any of these conditions can result in life-threatening complications.
• Anemia- malaria can result in causing a decrease in the supply of oxygen to the body’s tissue.
• Low blood sugar- severe forms of malaria can result in causing low blood sugar levels.
• Pregnancy complications- complications due to malaria during pregnancy are miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, restricted growth of the baby in the mother’s womb, death of the mother, and low birth weight.

Prevention of Malaria:

The prevention of malaria can be done using the ABCD approach, which stands for:

• Awareness of risk: the patient should find out whether he/she is at risk of getting malaria.
• Bite prevention: the mosquito bite can be prevented by using mosquito nets, using insect repellent.
• Check whether the patient requires any kind of antimalarial prevention tablets.
• Diagnosis: early diagnosis and treatment will result in an overall good prognosis for the patient.

The best way to prevent malarial infection is to take the vaccine. Vaccination is highly recommended for children who live in countries with a high number of malarial cases.

Prognosis of people who are diagnosed with Malaria:

Early diagnosis and treatment will result in a good prognosis for the people who are diagnosed with malaria. Malaria if left untreated will result in causing life-threatening complications including death. The right choice of antimalaria drug and its duration will result in treating malaria and clearing the infection completely.

Home remedies to treat Malaria:

Home remedies for treating malaria play an important role in giving symptomatic relief to the patient. Home remedies along with medications will result in good outcomes for the patient. Some of the natural ways to treat malaria are:

• Turmeric- adding turmeric to the milk will result in fighting against the infections naturally. It helps in flushing all the harmful toxins out of the body and is considered the best treatment option for malaria.
• Herbal tea and milk- having two cups of herbal tea or turmeric milk daily will help in fighting against the malarial infection.
• Fever nut- as the name suggests, the fever nut helps in reducing the body temperature and minimizing fever-related symptoms. It helps in fighting against malaria infection.
• Holy basil- holy basil is known for its antimicrobial property, it creates wonders in treating malaria infection. Holy basil contains an ingredient that is rich in eugenol which is very effective in fighting against malaria infection.
• Apple cider vinegar- apple cider vinegar helps in fighting against nausea and vomiting. It plays an important role in fighting against malaria infection.
• Grapefruit- raw grapefruit helps in lowering the depth of malaria infection.
• Orange- Orange is known for its antioxidant property and is rich in vitamin C property. It helps in fighting against malaria infection.
• Ginger- ginger helps in treating malaria infection through its anti-inflammatory property.
• Citrus fruits- it is rich in vitamin C, which helps in fighting against malaria infection.
• Using mosquito repellent and nets
• Keeping the surrounding area clean and hygienic
• Washing hands regularly
• Proper management of water
• Avoid eating outside food and eat at home

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/symptoms-causes
2. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351184
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670#diagnosis
5. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/221134-workup#c7
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/malaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351184
7. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/malaria#preventing-and-treating-malaria
8. https://sprintmedical.in/blog/best-home-remedies-of-malaria