Don't keep myths about health issues
Millions of people around the world still get malaria every year, making it one of the biggest health problems in the world. Myths and false beliefs about the disease still exist, which makes it harder to come up with effective ways to avoid and treat it.
A common misunderstanding is that malaria can only happen in humid areas. Malaria does happen most often in tropical and subtropical places, but it can happen anywhere the Anopheles mosquito, which is the main carrier of the disease, is present. Parts of mild countries and even some cities are included in this.
Malaria is not always deadly, despite what most people think. Most people with malaria can be treated if they get the right diagnosis and treatment at the right time. But malaria can be dangerous if it isn't treated quickly and effectively, especially in people who are already weak, like young children and pregnant women. Getting medical help right away is very important if you start to feel feverish, chills, headaches, or aches and pains from malaria, especially if you recently visited a place where malaria is common.
Malaria is not spread by casual contact or respiratory droplets like many other illnesses are. Instead, it is only spread by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito that is sick. After eating malaria parasites from a person who has malaria, the mosquito can give the parasites to another person through its bite. Malaria, on the other hand, can't be passed from person to person like the flu or cold.
Herbal cures that have been used for a long time in many cultures may help with some symptoms, but they are not a replacement for malaria treatment that has been shown to work. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the best way to treat malaria is with antimalarial drugs like artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). These medicines are made to kill the bugs that cause malaria in the body and stop any further problems from happening. Using only herbal remedies can put off getting the right treatment and have major health effects.
Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) have been shown to stop the spread of malaria and work very well. When used correctly, ITNs offer a physical defense against mosquito bites and also keep mosquitoes away and kill any that come into touch with the net. Also, the insecticide in the bed nets helps to lower the number of mosquitoes even more, which protects the whole community. Putting up bed nets in places where malaria is common has been shown to cut down on illness and death caused by malaria by a large amount, especially among children and pregnant women who are more likely to get sick.
There are many ways to stop malaria. Some of them are vector control measures, like spraying insecticides on mosquitoes and using bed nets. Others are personal safety measures, like taking antimalarial drugs and wearing long-sleeved clothes. In spite of the fact that there isn't yet a vaccine that completely protects against malaria, scientists are working hard to make one. In the meantime, taking these precautions regularly can greatly lower the chance of getting malaria.
Getting rid of common malaria myths and misunderstandings is important for stopping and controlling the disease. People and groups can protect themselves and others from this treatable and preventable disease by learning about how it spreads, its signs, how it is treated, and how it can be stopped.
