MALARIA: NARRATIVE REVIEW

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that occurs through the bite of a female Anopheles spp mosquito that transmits protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. P. vivax and P. falciparum are the most frequent species. The clinical presentation of the disease is a febrile syndrome accompanied by nonspeci?c symptoms. Diagnosis is based on tests for microscopic detection of the parasite (thick smear, blood smear) or rapid antigen diagnostic tests. Treatment will depend on the infecting species of plasmodium and whether it is a complicated disease. There are multiple tools for prevention such as the use of mosquito nets, repellents, chemoprevention, and vaccination. Various strategies have been proposed for its eradication, considering that it is a public health problem and represents a great burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide.