What You Need To Know About Malaria [img=http://maternalinfanthealth.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/little_child_with_malaria.jpg] Picture of a child affected with malaria Malaria is an infectious disease which mostly affects children and pregnant women, if not well taken care of in young children it could often lead to death. It is spread by mosquitoes especially the female name Anopheles mosquito. A single mosquito bite may be enough to cause the infection. [b]Some of the notable symptoms of malaria are[b] High fever with temperature over 38C along with chills and sweating. There is intense muscle pain, headache, blurring of vision and dizziness. Some patients may develop diarrhea and vomiting as well. Symptoms are often developed within seven days after being bitten and it may take between 10 to 15 days to appear. Causes of malaria [img=http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/mosquito6a.jpg] picture Of An Anopheles Mosquito Malaria is caused by a type of parasite known as Plasmodium. This is a microscopic parasite that is transmitted by certain species of mosquitoes. The Plasmodium parasite is mainly spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are night-biting mosquitos. Treatment Of Malaria Anti-malarial medication is used both to treat and prevent malaria. The type and duration of drugs depends on the type of malaria, its severity and if the patient is pregnant. prevention Of Malaria As it is often said prevention is better than cure. Malaria can be prevented by taking several simple precautions. Awareness of the risk of malaria in high risk zones is the first step to preventing malaria. Mosquito bites can be prevented by using covered clothes and mosquito repellents like the common treated net. While travelling to a malaria endemic zone like Africa, antimalarial tablets may be prescribed to prevent contracting malaria. Immediate diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and death.