Malaria in Children in Rural India
For centuries, malaria has plagued the people of India. This potentially life-threatening disease is caused by the infected bite of Anopheles mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of the worldwide population (3.2 billion people) are at risk of malaria. In 2016, there were 216 million cases of malaria and 445,000 malaria deaths worldwide.
Eighty-nine percent of all malaria cases in South East Asia occur in India. In 2016 more than 1.9 million cases of malaria occurred in India, resulting in 331 deaths. Malaria is treatable when diagnosed early. Malaria transmission can be reduced by using insecticide-treated nets and indoor insecticide sprays.
Malaria Vulnerabilities in Children
Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable. In high transmission areas like India, a partial immunity builds up during childhood. However, young children who have not built up this immunity is at greats risk of developing malaria. Severe anemia, cerebral malaria and hypoglycemia are commonly experienced in young children exposed to malaria.
When a child is bitten, the parasite that causes malaria is found in the red blood cells of the child. Although malaria is not transmitted like the cold or the flu, it can be transmitted during a blood transfusion if infected blood is administered.
Symptoms of Malaria
The symptoms of malaria often occur in other illnesses like the flu, chikungunya and dengue, so it is important to see your child's doctor right away. When a child has malaria, the child can experience a host of symptoms, including:
Cough
Cold
Fever
Chills
Irritability
Drowsiness
Shivering
Diarrhea (stools are often green)
Sleeplessness
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Hypothermia
Seizures
Poor appetite
Rapid breathing
Fatigue
Diagnosing Malaria
The only way to test for malaria is a blood test. However, if your doctor believes that your child may have contracted malaria, the physician will most likely begin treatment before the test results come back because the quicker that treatment is begun, the more likely the child will be safe.
Treating Malaria
If your child is diagnosed with malaria, it is recommended that your child get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration that often occurs due to the fever, vomiting and diarrhea that typically accompany malaria. You can help reduce your child's fever by frequently sponging and administering fever-reducing medications. Finally, antimalarial medications will be administered. The number of treatments will depend on the severity of malaria as well as the type of malaria that the child has.
How to Reduce the Risk of Malaria
Because mosquitoes transmit this disease, you need to keep mosquitoes away from your home. Make sure that there is no standing water as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. All empty containers that can collect water should be emptied. Additionally, a couple of drops of kerosene can be added in areas where water collects like small ponds and drains.
Dress your child in light-colored clothing as dark colors attract mosquitoes. Long-sleeved, full-length garments reduce the amount of skin that is exposed. Mosquito repellent or essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, citronella and lemongrass can be used to help protect your child. When your child is sleeping, use a mosquito net and use screens on all windows and doors. Keep your child away from bushes and hedges as mosquitos often reside in these cool damp locations. Finally, regular fumigation can stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Indian Pediatrics reports that every year 75 percent of all malaria cases occur in India. Unfortunately, many of these cases are resistant to the standard treatment for malaria. This shows the need for effective methods for preventing and treating malaria in children.
