Malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT)

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. You get it when an infected mosquito bites you. Malaria is a major cause of death worldwide. Malaria symptoms include chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice. A blood test can diagnose it. It can be life-threatening.

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) assist in the diagnosis of malaria by providing evidence of the presence of malaria parasites in human blood. RDTs are an alternative to diagnosis based on clinical grounds or microscopy, particularly where good quality microscopy services cannot be readily provided.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually get a high fever, headache and shaking chills. Malaria symptoms typically begin within a few weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Malaria can be fatal, particularly when caused by the variety of parasite called Plasmodium falciparum that’s common in tropical parts of Africa. The risk of death increases in people who have not been exposed to it previously.

During childhood, malaria causes anaemia during a period of rapid brain development, and also direct brain damage resulting from cerebral malaria. The burden of post-malaria cognitive impairment is often overlooked, see also: "The hidden burden of malaria: cognitive impairment following infection" at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018393/

Some survivors of cerebral malaria have an increased risk of neurological and cognitive deficits, behavioural disorders, and epilepsy. Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological complication of infection with Plasmodium falciparum.

With over 575,000 cases annually, children in sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected. Surviving patients have an increased risk of neurological and cognitive deficits, behavioral difficulties and epilepsy making cerebral malaria a leading cause of childhood neuro-disability in the region. See also: "Cerebral Malaria; Mechanisms Of Brain Injury And Strategies For Improved Neuro-Cognitive Outcome" at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056312/

Canlit Clinic
(Rev. Canlit Memorial Medical Clinic)
Kitgum Municipality, Uganda
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