You need to know the symptoms of malaria in seniors if you plan to travel with them to some destinations in the world.
The reality is that seniors are not immune to malaria. They could visit one of these places, and get the disease, just like everyone else. It is very common for people to be bitten by mosquitoes that have malaria. Therefore seniors need to use precautions, but there’s no guarantee they can protect themselves. If this ever happened to your senior loved one, everyone needs to be familiar with the symptoms of the disease.
Some people are particularly susceptible to malaria. People with lower immune systems, such as young children, AIDs sufferers, pregnant women, autoimmune disorders, and seniors are the most affected. Pregnant women also run the risk of miscarriages or stillbirth. Or, a women can deliver premature babies.
Symptoms of Malaria in Seniors
Coming down with muscle aches, chills and high fever are the most common symptoms of malaria. Additionally, coughing, feeling sick to the stomach, and occasional diarrhea are also symptoms commonly found in the elderly. Obviously, all of these symptoms can be associated with other diseases and infections, as well.
One of the signs that makes malaria distinctive is that the symptoms often display themselves in waves or one after the other. When you notice all of these symptoms grouped together, you should try to contact a doctor as soon as possible. If not, the body gets weaker after each cycle of symptoms. It’s better to have a doctor rule out malaria because it can be deadly, especially for seniors.
If the disease gets a chance to further progress, seniors can develop jaundice, which causes yellowing of their skin and eyes. This usually indicates liver damage.
Falciparum malaria is the most severe type of the disease. If it is not treated fast enough, it is fatal in approximately 30 percent of all cases.
Side Effects of Malaria in Seniors
It’s sometimes a good idea for seniors to take malaria pills before they travel to a high-risk country, but they need to know that the medication can cause them some serious side effects. One drug in particular (Lariam) can often cause severe psychological side effects, particularly for anybody suffering from depression or other psychiatric conditions.
Seniors who take anti-malaria medicine risk secondary effects, like paranoia, elevated aggression, and possible thoughts of suicide. So you should talk to a doctor who’s knowledgeable about malaria before getting any such medication and make sure you tell the doctor about any medical or psychological conditions you have.
How to Treat Malaria
It’s necessary to begin treatment immediately once seniors are diagnosed. Doing so, might keep them out of the hospital. However, if the disease has progressed, seniors can become very ill quickly.
Malaria treatment takes some time, and it is not a pleasant experience. Therefore, a prophylaxis is usually the preferred method. It helps a lot more than taking some of the same drugs after you have the infection.
Symptoms of Malaria in Seniors – Conclusion
Malaria is one of the diseases that health experts have been attempting to eradicate for many decades now. It’s most common in poor countries, and the poverty can make it harder to fight the illness. If seniors are in a place where there is malaria, they always have a chance of contracting the disease. Therefore, they need to take preventive measures, and family members must be able to recognize the symptoms.
