P. falciparum is
coming to dinner.

Malaria ::

The dinner is you. And if you are not careful it can kill. Plasmodium falciparum parasite is one of the parasites that infect the female anopheles mosquito that spreads malaria. The other common parasite is Plasmodium vivax. Malaria strikes 1-2 weeks after the mosquito bite. Though not contagious, it could be fatal.

Symptoms ::
Plasmodium falciparum : sudden fever, shivering, burning stage, sweating stage, headache, nausea, bodyache. Fever moves between high and normal temp. Falciparum malaria can turn serious within hours. Plasmodium vivax : Similar symptoms. Could be misread as flu, typhoid, jaundice.

Treatment ::
Bed rest. Cold compress. Do blood tests, when fever is present & at 6-8 hr. intervals. A single negative result can still mean that malaria is present. It is important to consult your doctor.

Prevention ::
Never allow water to stagnate, cover overhead tanks, air coolers. Use mosquito repellents/nets. Malaria is extremely dangerous in children, people over 60 and pregnant women.