BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – There has been a lot of people dying in Zimbabwe and they are erroneously diagnosed as Malaria patients. This is because the symptoms of Malaria and Covid – 19 are almost similar.
In the early stages, malaria symptoms are sometimes similar to those of many other infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It can start with flu-like symptoms. These symptoms are almost the same as the symptoms of Coronavirus. The danger of misdiagnosis is that a Corona patient is released in the public with a clear licence to kill. Most scaring is the fact that this is happening in areas where the people have engaged a denial mode. The effects of denial can be seen in Brazil where the virus now rules supreme.
The President of Brazil had dismissed the Coronavirus as a common flu. Now in the shadow of his ignorance roams the virus killing people at will. Families are seen struggling to cope bereaved ones given only ten minutes to perform their rituals at the grave yard. Burial procedures have completely been redefined. As Brazil cries tears of blood the unseen virus is giving the visible grief. We must always remember that Malaria’s symptoms are Fever. This is the most common symptom. Other symptoms are Chills, Headache. Sweats, Fatigue, Nausea and vomiting. Body aches.Generally feeling sick and dizziness. Those infected may have the disease but have few or no symptoms. As with Covid 19 malaria symptoms can vary depending on your age, general health, and the kind of malaria parasite that you have.
Malaria kills and it is more severe to those with underlying conditions. Just like then COVID – 19 malaria can lead to impaired function of the brain or spinal cord, seizures, or loss of consciousness. The most serious types of malaria infection can be deadly. Like Coronavirus Malaria can kill you. While Corona virus is very contagious and that it spreads very fast Malaria is mostly spread by mosquitos and in rare times it is spread by blood transfusion, needles. The infection mode of Malaria is different from Covid – 19. Coronavirus normally takes an incubation period of fourteen days or so. But with Malaria when symptoms appear the time from the initial malaria infection until symptoms appear (incubation period) is usually 7 to 30 days. But with infections from some parasite species, signs of illness may not appear for many months after exposure. For example, you may get a fever up to a year after traveling to a country where malaria is found. In cases of Malaria the incubation period may also be longer if you are taking medicine to prevent infection. If you have some immunity due to previous infections, your symptoms may be less severe, or you may not have any symptoms. Malaria’s Symptoms may appear in cycles. The time between episodes of fever and other symptoms vary. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Most cases of Malaria are reported on Africa and Zimbabwe is a known Malaria hotspot. While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries.
Again just like COVID symptoms of malaria on top of the above are Nausea and vomiting Muscle pain and fatigue sweating chest or abdominal pain, cough. This is exactly what you exhibit when you have the Corona virus. An attack usually starts with shivering and chills, followed by a high fever, followed by sweating and a return to normal temperature. Malaria signs and symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, some types of malaria parasites can lie dormant in your body for up to a year.
These symptoms are often mild and can sometimes be difficult to identify as malaria Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease like Malaria caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. These are the most dangerous people because they spread the virus without even noticing it.
Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. Because there is a thin line between the symptoms of Malaria and Covid – 19 Zimbabwe has let most infected people slip through the fingers of those mandated to test. Zimbabwe has reported a surge in the Malaria deaths in Hwange, Nyanga, Kariba and the Midlands. The nation Needs to take this very seriously. The virus if it is one passing as Malaria should be revisited. Those dying from the so called Malaria must be tested. If this is left untested we as a country are heading to a very serious disaster. The other problem is our testing kits.
The world over is complaining that Chinese tests kits are malfunctioning. If we are relying on these kits then our figures are not correct. Zimbabwe should be spared from this virus. With the state of our health system we do not want to burden it. We must take a leaf from the European states. With their advanced health system they were grounded. How will we rise of this is to be on us. We are our own solutions. Let us be responsible support the government efforts to control the virus. Before we declare someone to be having Malaria let’s think COVID -19.
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