Caused by single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium, spread from person to person by Anopheles mosquitoes; mosquito bites and draws blood from an infected person, then bites a non-infected person, at same time injecting parasites into bloodstream; parasites settle in liver, where they begin to multiply; 9-30 days after bite, thousands of them enter bloodstream, and first symptoms of malaria appear typically Headache, fatigue, and Nausea; 24 hours later, person begins to feel cold and shivery, then Fever sets in, accompanied by rapid breathing, then there is profuse sweating and a fall in temperature; this sequence of events takes 12-24 hours, after which person is left feeling extremely weak, with great tenderness in liver area. Appropriate action, as soon as malaria is suspected consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 2 hours. Unless drugs are taken immediately another attack is likely within 2-3 days (parasite population takes 2-3 days to build up again). If parasite is P. falciparum, acute phase is likely to last 2-3 days, and be very severe, but recurrence is unlikely. Untreated malaria can lead to Anaemia and blocked blood vessels in vital organs (parasites damage red blood cells and cause then to stick together).
The homeopathic remedies which follow should be given in addition to orthodox drugs.
Specific remedies to be given 4 times daily for up to 6 days
- Thirst before or after acute phase but not during it, chilliness not helped by warmth, sweating and weakness, attack preceded by restlessness and pains in joints China 6c
- Chills, fever and sweating, thirst, pains in spine China sulph. 6c
- Burning fever, great weakness and prostration, fluid retention, person thirsty for sips of water Arsenicum 6c
- If none of the remedies above seems suitable Sulphur 6c
Prevention: If you are visiting a country where malaria is endemic, ask your medical doctor for a supply of anti-malarial drugs; these have to be taken for several weeks before travelling, while you are in the country and for several weeks afterwards. If for some reason you cannot take these drugs, arm yourself with China sulph. 6c or Arsenicum 6c, and take two doses daily while you are in malarial areas. |
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