Lucknow : As the word Malaria comes into our mind we all relate it to a life-threatening disease though not knowing its symptoms and precautions . Malaria is a disease that is  typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.Malaria is usually found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites that cause it live.

Congenital malaria occurs when a mother with malaria passes on the disease to her baby at birth.

Malaria is one of the most prevalent problems during the monsoon season. Old or young, you are susceptible to this disease, especially if you live in areas that have high potential for mosquito breeding.

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, there were 7,16,213 confirmed cases of malaria in India in 2016. Of these, 331 patients died due to complications related to the disease.

Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites you. An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria.

So, how can you protect yourself from this disease? Keeping an eye out for common signs and symptoms can help you detect a case of malaria before it gets too serious. While symptoms vary from one person to the next, here are some things to look out for.

Symptoms :

Chills

High fever

Headache

Profuse sweating

Vomiting

Nausea

Anemia

Muscle pain

Bloody stool

Convulsions

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of malaria, consult a doctor immediately. You may be required to take several blood and physical tests to determine if you do have malaria.

It is important to note that there are different types of malaria. Thus, treatments could differ in some cases, as some strains of the parasite are resistant to certain types of drugs.

As there is no vaccination available for malaria, you must take extra care to avoid mosquito bites. You can use liquid-based electric mosquito repellents or card based repellents, which can drive these pesky insects out of the home and keep them out.

Mosquito nets also work well against mosquitoes. Wearing full-sleeve shirts and covering as much of your body as possible while going out could also work.

Remove stagnant water from around your home, and clean out empty pots and air coolers so that mosquitoes cannot breed there.