Malaria is one of the major causes of death amongst infants. Malaria affects children more since they have weaker immune system as they are still undergoing growth and development. It is a parasitic disease caused from a bite by a carrier mosquito. Not all mosquitoes are carriers of plasmodium which causes malaria. It is the female anopheles mosquito that transmits malaria.

This killer disease is mostly common in warm areas. This is because mosquitoes bleed more in such areas as climate is favorable for them to bleed and survive. Thus children are more prone to malaria infection is such areas. Adults are no always spared on that there are fewer cases of adults having malaria infection.

Malaria has various symptoms that one can easily detect. Most parents confuse these symptoms and take them for fever or flue. This is because they share same symptoms. One should always seek medication from a professional doctor before taking on the over the counter drugs. Malaria symptoms take within one week or two to show after infection. Some of the notable symptoms include:

• Headaches

Whenever your child develops a cute headache seek medical attention

• Vomiting and nausea

This is not a direct indication since it has many causes. Seek professional assistance.

• Fever

This involves increase in the body temperature. It is flu-like but one should seek medical assistance to be tested for malaria.

• Loss of appetite

Your child may suddenly refuse taking food and when taking maybe in very little amounts but there can be other causes like depression. Once again seek medical attention before making personal decision.

• Feeling tired

Your child may be feeling tired at the joints and muscles yet he or she has done no work. This can be a major indication of malaria infection.

• Pains on the abdomen

• Diarrhea

• Jaundice

• Coughing

If your child develops most of these symptoms, it is most likely a malaria infection. Do not go for over the counter drugs. Visit your doctor for further professional examination. This is usually done by examining a blood sample thoroughly after the symptoms to confirm whether it is malaria or not. If malaria is detected, the doctor will approve the correct medication and dosage. This can be helpful to avoid recurring of the infection.

The best way to avoid getting an infection of malaria is taking the necessary measures. Avoidance of infection is always better than cure. You should take the following prevention measures:

• Spraying

One should spray the indoor interiors and dark corners where mosquitoes hide. This is done by use of the appropriate insecticide. This will kill the mosquitoes. But mosquitoes are noted to adapt to insecticides so you should use different ones each time you spray. They can be poisonous to your health so follow the steps indicated by the manufacturer.

• Using mosquito nets

This is an effective means of preventing malaria infection among children. They keep away the mosquitoes from reaching the child when properly used. The best mosquito net is one that has been treated with an appropriate insecticide. When it makes contact with the net it gets killed.

• Cutting bushes short

This method is used to reduce the bleeding grounds of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are only found in dark or hidden places. That is why they often bite at night. When you cut bushes and long grass around you short, this will reduce their bleeding.

• Draining stagnant water

Mosquitoes usually lay their eggs in stagnant water and the mosquito larvae develop in the water. Thus when you drain such water, you will get rid of any mosquito eggs and larvae.

• Education

Parents should be made aware about malaria and how to handle it when a child is infected with malaria, the symptoms to check, the prevention measures to take and the treatment measures to undertake. You should be educated to always seek medication from a professional doctor if your child has signs of malaria but not treat it on your own.

• Vaccination

In case you will travel with your child to areas prone to malarial infection, seek medical vaccination from an approved doctor. Such areas are the tropical areas where temperatures are high. Mosquitoes bleed and survive in such areas. But there is no vaccine that is completely perfect. This is because mosquitoes are quick at adapting to the drugs. More research is being done to develop better vaccines.

If you will be able to carry out the necessary prevention measures, then your child will rarely get infected with this killer disease.