🦟 Malaria Awareness

Malaria is a serious fever illness caused by single-celled Plasmodium parasites that enter the bloodstream through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Once inside the body, these parasites multiply in the liver before attacking red blood cells — producing the characteristic cycles of fever, chills, and exhaustion. Odisha, including districts such as Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Koraput, carries one of the highest malaria burdens in the country, with cases rising sharply during and after the monsoon months of June to November.

Malaria symptoms often appear in cycles. The classic pattern is: cold stage → fever stage → sweating stage, repeating every 48–72 hours depending on the parasite type.

• 🌡️ High fever — often sudden, reaching 39–41°C
• 🥶 Chills and shivering (cold stage) before the fever rises
• 🤕 Severe headache and body aches
• 🤢 Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• 😓 Profuse sweating after fever breaks
• 😴 Extreme fatigue and weakness
• 🩸 In severe cases (P. falciparum): jaundice, dark urine, seizures, or unconsciousness — seek emergency care immediately

Malaria is preventable. Simple steps taken consistently can dramatically reduce your risk:

• 🪟 Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) every night
• 🧴 Apply mosquito repellent creams or coils during evening hours
• 🚫 Do not allow water to stagnate — empty coolers, pots, and tyres regularly
• 🌿 Keep surrounding areas clear of overgrown bushes and weeds
• 👕 Wear full-sleeved clothes during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• 🏠 Use window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering
• 🌫️ Support fogging and larvicide drives in your community
• 🩺 Take prescribed prophylactic medicines if travelling to high-risk forest areas

Malaria can be cured with proper treatment. Sri Raj Memorial Hospital offers rapid diagnostic testing and evidence-based antimalarial treatment for both P. vivax and P. falciparum infections.

• 🔬 Blood smear microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) available
• 💊 P. vivax treated with Chloroquine + Primaquine (G6PD tested)
• 💊 P. falciparum treated with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT)
• 🏥 Severe malaria cases managed with intravenous treatment and close monitoring
• 📅 Complete the full course of treatment — stopping early causes relapse and drug resistance