Understanding malaria in simple terms: a journey into the body’s kingdom

Malaria: how does this disease affect your body?

Malaria, sometimes referred to as “paludism”, is a sneaky disease that can affect anyone. To better understand it, imagine your body as a well-defended kingdom. In this kingdom, red blood cells (which are the main components of blood) act as valiant workers transporting essential oxygen to all the kingdom’s inhabitants (all the organs in your body).

However, there is a crafty enemy hiding within some of these workers, a microbe called “Plasmodium.” This microbe is transmitted by the female of a type of mosquito called “Anopheles.” When this mosquito bites an individual carrying the Plasmodium, it can then transmit this microbe to another individual it bites later. Plasmodium is like a spy infiltrating the kingdom through bites from this particular mosquito.

After this bite, the Plasmodium makes its way to an organ called the liver, where it secretly multiplies (the liver becomes like a factory for multiplying these spies). Subsequently, these spies are released and attack red blood cells, turning them into factories for multiplying spies as well. Every time a red blood cell is filled with spies, it will explode like a bomb, releasing all the new spies that will each infect other red blood cells. The battle intensifies throughout the kingdom. It is at this stage that malaria symptoms manifest.

Red blood cell ruptures cause fever (high temperature and chills), shivering, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, etc., as the kingdom is at war against these invaders. By destroying red blood cells, Plasmodium destroys the main components of blood, which is why in hospitals, one may observe anemia (that is, a lack of blood) that can be mild or severe depending on the severity of Plasmodium damage.

The waste produced by this war can become difficult to eliminate by the sick person’s kidneys (the kidneys being the “leaders of the cleanup team” in the body). If this happens, we will say that malaria has complicated into “acute renal failure.” If nothing is done promptly to strengthen the kingdom’s army, Plasmodium will invade it and cause other serious complications, such as frequent vomiting, seizures if the brain is affected (this is called cerebral malaria or neuropaludism), and the sick person may die.

The battle against malaria: tips for victory

Tip 1 : Malaria Prevention

It is crucial to note that prevention remains the ultimate weapon against malaria. Your healthcare professional can advise you on which strategy suits you based on your place of residence and other specific informations. Nevertheless, there are essential measures to protect the body kingdom against malaria:

• Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), which can be considered as shields when going to bed at night,
• Repellents (creams, sprays, etc.), which can be considered as armor,
• Prophylactic medications, which can be considered as magical potions when traveling to high-risk regions,
• Malaria vaccines: they are like military education for the kingdom’s army to repel invaders more effectively. An example of a malaria vaccine is the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, also known as Mosquirix. Although this vaccine does not guarantee total protection, it strengthens the kingdom’s resistance, reducing the risk of severe disease in case of Plasmodium infection. Cameroon plans to introduce this vaccine into the immunization schedule for children aged 6 to 24 months in the coming days.

Tip 2 : Malaria Treatment

If you experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, intense fatigue, and others described in the article, consult a medical Doctor promptly. It is better to diagnose early, that means confirming that Plasmodium is responsible for your symptoms. This will allow for early treatment, preventing Plasmodium from invading your body or causing further damages.

If the Doctor confirms a malaria diagnosis, follow the treatment recommendations that will be prescribed. Malaria medications are effective, but their efficacy depends on the severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Only the Doctor will know what type of treatment will be effective for your situation. If you do not take the treatment as recommended by the Doctor, this incomplete treatment will only injure the Plasmodium without killing it. You may feel fine while the Plasmodium is healing its wound, but after some time, you may relapse because the Plasmodium will regain control over your body and in a more vicious manner, much like a wounded lion coming back for revenge.

Even after malaria treatment, be attentive to any persisting symptoms and communicate with your Doctor if you are worried about, because malaria symptoms can also be caused by other diseases. The persistence of a symptom after proper treatment may indicate the presence of another disease or be an expression of your body’s fatigue after the battle against Plasmodium. The Doctor will advise you on how to get better.

What should you Remember?

1. Malaria is a very serious disease that can affect and kill both children and adults.
2. Prevention, early diagnosis, and adherence to the complete treatment are key to managing malaria effectively.
3. Take preventive measures recommended in your country or for your situation very seriously.
4. Stay vigilant, even after a well-followed treatment
5. Malaria vaccines, though promising, do not replace ordinary preventive measures but are an ADDITIONAL asset to strengthen your kingdom’s defense against this devastating disease.

In our next article on malaria, we will discuss the Mosquirix vaccine. Feel free to leave comments or ask questions. See you soon!

Dr Christelle Mpoulet, Field Epidemiologist Physician and Freelance Writer (production of medical content combining scientific rigour and editorial clarity for an effective and impactful health communication)