Discussions
How is malaria transmitted from one person to another?
Malaria is primarily transmitted from one person to another through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites a person who already has malaria, it ingests the malaria parasites (Plasmodium species) present in that person’s blood. Buy hydroxychloroquine online Inside the mosquito, these parasites undergo a complex life cycle, eventually migrating to the mosquito’s salivary glands. When this infected mosquito bites another person, the parasites enter the new host’s bloodstream, beginning a new infection. This mosquito-borne transmission is the most common and significant way malaria spreads in endemic regions.
In addition to mosquito bites, malaria can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and the use of contaminated needles. Pregnant women infected with malaria can also pass the parasite to their unborn child, leading to congenital malaria. However, these non-mosquito transmission routes are far less common. Preventing malaria transmission relies heavily on controlling mosquito populations, using insecticide-treated bed nets, and reducing human exposure to mosquito bites, especially during peak biting hours, which are typically dusk and dawn. Understanding these transmission pathways is crucial for both treatment and prevention strategies.
