This paper examines malaria as a globally prevalent infectious disease, outlining its transmission through the female Anopheles mosquito, its characteristic symptoms, and its disproportionate impact on children in tropical and subtropical regions. The paper situates malaria within the broader context of emerging infectious diseases and the need for global public health surveillance. It then focuses on nursing interventions, detailing WHO-recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, drug protocols for specific patient populations, and the role of patient monitoring, supportive care, health education, and psychosocial support in achieving effective disease management.
In recent years, the world has gained greater awareness of health conditions, especially in light of the numerous environmental changes that alter microbial populations. While this awareness has increased, several infectious diseases have become more common in today's world. These diseases continue to spread rapidly across the globe, which necessitates global surveillance for emerging infections through public health initiatives. The need for increased global surveillance is attributed to the heightened health risks caused by shifts in microbial populations and the probable impact of these infections on human welfare.
Generally, an infectious disease is defined as a communicable disease whose primary cause is a biological agent such as a bacterium, virus, or parasite. Consequently, this kind of disease requires both a biological agent and a mode of transmission.
An example of an infectious disease that is most prevalent across the globe is malaria, which is primarily a mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and other animals. Malaria is caused by parasitic microorganisms known as protozoans and is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Through the bite, the female mosquito introduces the organisms from its saliva into the circulatory system of an individual.
Some of the most common symptoms of this communicable disease include muscle aches, chills, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, and anemia ("Water-related Diseases," 2001). Malaria can develop into a severe cerebral form that may progress to death if it is not promptly and effectively treated. Currently, malaria is one of the five major causes of death, particularly among children under the age of five in Africa and other parts of the world. The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical countries, including South-East Asia, the forested zones of South America, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Given the scope of its severity, various measures have been taken to combat malaria, particularly through nursing interventions. Nursing diagnosis for this infectious disease is based on the specific signs and symptoms presented by each patient. One primary nursing intervention involves the early and appropriate administration of antimalarial medication for patients who show no signs of complications. Antimalarial medication is selected on the basis of drug sensitivities of the malaria parasites in the affected area.
The World Health Organization has recommended the use of artemisinin-based combination treatments as first-line therapy for falciparum malaria ("Nursing Care for Malaria Patients," n.d.). Other recommended treatments include clindamycin for pregnant women and children, and quinine combined with doxycycline for non-pregnant adults and older children. Notably, the use of antimalarial treatments for uncomplicated malaria is carried out following a malaria rapid diagnostic test, which examines the presence of malaria antigens in a patient's blood.
"Monitoring, education, and psychosocial support roles"
You’re 76% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.