Is Malaria Transmitted by Female Mosquitoes?

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QUESTION

Is malaria caused by only female mosquitoes?

ANSWER

Malaria is only transmitted by female mosquitoes, yes. This is because only female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles (the genus that transmits malaria in mammals, including humans) feed on blood, and the parasite that causes malaria (called Plasmodium) spends part of its life cycle in the blood. Therefore, when a female mosquito feeds on an infected person, when she sucks up their blood, she also takes up some of the Plasmodium parasites. These parasites mature inside the mosquito, and then, when the mosquito goes to bite another person, she passes some of the mature Plasmodium parasites into that new person’s blood while she feeds. The Plasmodium parasites may then be able to undergo further development in the new host, which may lead to the person experiencing a malaria infection. So, while technically female mosquitoes don’t cause malaria (since the disease is caused by the Plasmodium parasite), female mosquitoes are required to pass it between one person and another.

Vivax or Falciparum Malaria?

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QUESTION:
I live in Pucallpa, Peru. I recently went on a trip to a remote jungle location in amazon jungle of Peru, and now I have malaria, but I’m not sure if it’s Vivax or falciparum. How could I know the difference? It seems like vivax is more common here in the jungle region of Peru, or am I wrong? Also, if it is Vivax, is Chloroquine with primaquine the best thing to take? I heard vivax is starting to develop a resistance to Chloroquine, but is there any evidence of a resistance to chloroquine + primaquine? Thanks.

ANSWER:
The symptoms of malaria infection with P. vivax vesus P. falciparum are similar. P. vivax has fewer severe complications and is almost never fatal. The two strains can be distinguished in the laboratory where the diagnosis of malaria is confirmed, either by their appearance under a microscope or by more sophisticated molecular approaches. In your region of South America, P. vivax is far more common that P. falciparum. Yes, there is a small risk of chloroquine resistance, but it is low in this region and the combination of chloroquine and primaquine remains a standard treatment. The combination of chloroquine plus primaquine helps overcome chloroquine resistance in P. vivax and P. falciparum. The primaquine is also effective in eliminating the form of vivax that can “hibernate” in the liver for months or years and resurface, causing relapse. Despite this, there are rare cases of relapse after a full course of standard chloroquine and primaquine and close medical follow up during and after treatment will be important.

Malaria Host Range

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QUESTION

What is a malaria host range?

ANSWER

Usually, a malaria host range refers to the natural geographical range of one of the hosts of a particular species of malaria. So, for example, Plasmodium reichenowi normally only infects chimpanzees. Chimpanzees live mainly in central and western Africa, so this would determine the host range for P. reichenowi. Other species of malaria, such as those that infect humans, have much larger host ranges, since humans live practically everywhere on the planet. In these cases, it is more likely that the range of that species of malaria is limited by climatic variables (malaria parasites require certain temperature ranges in which they are able to develop and mature) or the distribution of a suitable vector mosquito species, which also have climatic constraints.

Malaria or Flu?

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QUESTION

For the last couple of days I am suffering from all the symptoms that are mentioned on your website and I am taking tylenol for these symptoms thinking that it is flu but I am feeling better now. Should I still see a doctor or keep taking tylenol?

ANSWER

If you are no longer experiencing high fever, then it is likely just flu. However if you live in a malarial area and your symptoms persist, it would be worth seeing a doctor to get a malaria test, just to make sure you don’t require treatment.

Areas Where Malaria Occurs

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QUESTION

Can you please tell me the high, low and no risk areas for malaria.

ANSWER

Malaria requires certain climatic conditions, both for its own development as well as for the survival of its vector mosquitoes. As such, malaria transmission is concentrated in lowland areas of the tropics, where there is sufficient freshwater for mosquito breeding. However, malaria can also seasonably be transmitted in areas away from the tropics. Similarly, some tropical and sub-tropical areas have implemented successful control programs which has significantly reduced or even eliminated transmission.

Currently, high risk areas for malaria transmission include most of sub-Saharan Africa (except for the highlands of Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya and Eritrea – areas over 1800 meters of altitude tend to have less malaria), most of northern South America (except areas over 2000m, and many urban cities are also free of malaria), parts of Central America, some Caribbean islands, India, south-east Asia (again, apart from highland areas) and Oceania. Low risk areas include parts of southern Africa (i.e. northern South Africa), parts of Central America (including most of Mexico, though some parts of the south may be considered higher risk), parts of the Middle East and parts of China. There is no known malaria in North America, Europe, most of North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the eastern coastal regions of Brazil, most of southern South America and northern Asia. For a detailed and up to date map of malaria risk around the world, please see the Malaria Map

Malaria and Stomach Ache

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QUESTION

Can a person suffering from malaria suffer from stomach-aches?

ANSWER

Sometimes people with malaria have nausea,  vomiting and diarrhea, but the most common symptoms include fever and flu-like illness, such as shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells.

 

Malaria and Menstrual Cycle

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QUESTION

Does malaria affect menstrual cycle?

ANSWER

Malaria usually does not last very long—people usually seek diagnosis and treatment within a few days (since symptoms can be severe) and then treatment and recovery follow swiftly, within another few days (100% recovery may take longer, up to a few weeks). Moreover, malaria does not usually interfere with reproductive organs or hormone production. As such, malaria usually does not interfere with the menstrual cycle. However, malaria can result in anemia; many women also experience mild anemia during and after menstruation, and it is possible that this iron deficiency could be exacerbated by malaria infection.

Malaria Medication During Breast Feeding

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QUESTION

I am a breast-feeding mother, and I am on the lumartem dosage. Will this affect my baby? He is 9 months old.

ANSWER

The US Center for Disease Control says that it is safe for a breastfeeding mother to take lumfartem if the baby is over 5 kilos (or 11 pounds).    Since your baby is 9 months old, he should weigh more than 5 kg so you should be fine. If you have any questions you should talk to the health care provider who gave you the medication.  Make sure you and the baby sleep under a long acting insecticide treated net to prevent further episodes of malaria.

Malareich and Pregnancy

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QUESTION

Hi , am 31 weeks pregnant and had to take Malareich as my Anti malaria drug. I did not take the drug until I felt I had malaria, because I had body pains and headaches. Please advise if I will be ok after taking the malareich.

ANSWER

Malareich is a combination drug comprising of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, which is one of the medications recommended for treatment of malaria in pregnant women. However it sounds like you took the medication because you thought you had malaria – it is really important to be diagnosed by a doctor. For example, they will be able to ensure that you get the correct type of treatment for the kind of malaria you have. Malareich, for example, is probably not as effective against P. vivax malaria as P. falciparum malaria, but P. vivax is still susceptible to chloroquine, which is another drug that is suitable for the treatment of malaria in pregnant women.

Malaria Transmission by Contact?

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QUESTION

If you come in contact with someone who has had malaria can you get it from them?

ANSWER

No. It is not transmissible directly between people. Most transmission of malaria occurs when a mosquito infected with the malaria parasites bites someone, who then may get malaria. In some cases, transfers of organs or large quantities of infected blood (such as during blood transfusion) may also result in transmission, though this is more rare, and screening of blood reduces the probability of it occurring. Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother if she has malaria to her unborn child via the placenta, or via blood during childbirth. This is called congenital malaria.