8 Misconceptions of Malaria: What Are the Right Ones?

Around the globe, people have different perceptions about the emergence, causes, and effects of diseases. It is necessary to identify the right parameters for disease outbreaks and possible causes.

In this article, you will be going to find out the right Malaria causes instead of believing in the myths.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that is caused by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. According to the World Health Organization, “the plasmodium is transferred from the infected anopheles’ mosquito into a healthy person which causes the symptoms of malaria within 15 days after the bite of mosquito”

Now, there are multiple causes made by us which have no scientific evidence regarding the cause of malaria. Let’s discuss those misconceptions which have been revolving around us.

1. Malaria is Contagious:

In accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria is not contagious. It means it does not transmit like the common flu or cold or through any sexual contact. The major authentic cause of transmission of malaria is the bite of infected anopheles and plasmodium enters the bloodstream of healthy people. Furthermore, it can be transmitted by organ transplant or blood transfusion with the malarial patient.

Malaria cannot be transferred into the baby during breastfeeding under the light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it can show dangerous effects during the course of pregnancy. It mainly includes fetal loss, low birth weight, maternal anemia, premature delivery of the baby, and growth retardation.

2. After Feeding Mosquito Dies:

Many people believe that once a female mosquito bite, she dies eventually. But the fact is she does not die after biting a healthy person. Her mouth is specifically designed to feed on human blood. After the Anopheles mosquito bites a human, she rests to digest blood and feed her eggs. After about 3-4 days of rest, the mosquito lays 60-200 eggs inside the water and continues to look for more blood.

3. Eat garlic to keep off the mosquitos:

If you believe in this myth, you should know the fact that garlic has a higher amount of those compounds which contain Sulfur. Sulfur compounds can be toxic and dangerous to brain health and growth. Garlic has strong antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. On the basis of scientific research, there is no published evidence that garlic is helpful to ward off mosquitos.

According to an introductory 2005 study by a team of researchers at the University of Connecticut Medical Center, a group of volunteers was asked to eat garlic some days and a placebo other days, and they were exposed to mosquitoes every day. The results showed that the data did not indicate the repellency of mosquitoes. Hence, it has been proved by this case study that there is no reality in such a myth.

4. Once you get malaria, you won't get it again:

It is absolutely wrong to say that it can never infect you again. Malaria can arise multiple times, unfortunately. There are few species of plasmodium that reside in the human body at the dormant stage without causing any symptoms of illness. Malaria can be developed again in people for a few reasons that are:

• If the patient is being treated with an unproductive drug.
• Some patients develop resistance to the drug and it will not be effective to treat them successfully.
• If a previous infection was not treated accurately.

Hence, if any one of the reasons occurs, the dormant stage of plasmodium will be active and cause a severe attack of malaria after months or even years without showing symptoms, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

5. Malaria and dengue fever are similar:

Both diseases are caused by the biting of mosquitoes but in the case of dengue the mosquito is Aedes and in malaria, the mosquito is female anopheles. The treatment of Dengue and Malaria is different from each other.

Your doctor will be able to tell the difference between malaria and dengue fever and then suggest a suitable treatment for you according to the condition of your stage. For this purpose, you can contact Marham.pk for the appointment of a specialized doctor.

6. You are safe if no symptom occurs:

The reactions and symptoms after a mosquito bite can vary from person to person. Some people may experience red, itchy, and even painful rash or bumps, while others may experience no symptoms at all. Though, this does not indicate that you will be having no malaria. You should watch out for common fever symptoms like temperature, chills, and headache and tell your doctor right away.

You should not ignore the symptoms or signs. Diagnose the symptoms correctly and lead a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your health and protect yourself from malaria. If there are no symptoms, protection must be necessary because it can show later.

7. No chance of Malaria in air-conditioned rooms:

People believe that sitting in air-conditioned rooms would be the best way to reduce the chance of bacteria. You will not be exposed to mosquitos. It is somehow the safe approach but still, you need to take precautionary measures to completely keep off the risk of malaria. Not everybody can afford the lifestyle of having air-conditioned rooms.

8. Mosquitos disappear in the dry season:

You have heard that mosquitos breed usually in the rainy season but it does not mean that they do not come in the summer season. They have the potential to appear in the summer season. You will be at risk even in the dry season because mosquitos can be seen in every season.

Bottom Line:

Now you have been familiar with all the misconceptions that people have made regarding the malaria treatment and causes. It is time to figure out the accurate side of the disease to help yourself and other people around you. Extensive research is required before using any remedy or implementing any treatment. Always follow the right guidelines instead of what people say because sometimes a little knowledge is toxic.