HOW MALARIA KILLS

 Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of infected “Anopheles”mosquitoes. If left untreated, malaria can be fatal. Here’s how malaria can lead to death:

RED BLOOD CELL DESTRUCTION.

   The malaria parasite enters the bloodstream and infects red blood cells. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. As the parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, they eventually cause the cells to burst, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream. This destruction of red blood cells leads to severe anaemia, which deprives organs and tissues of oxygen.

 

ORGAN FAILURE

   Severe malaria can cause the blood flow to organs to be impaired. When infected red blood cells clump together and block blood vessels (especially in the brain, kidneys, and lungs), it can lead to organ failure. This can cause critical issues like:

Cerebral malaria: When the brain is affected, it can cause seizures, coma, and potentially death.

Kidney failure: Malaria can severely affect the kidneys, leading to a buildup of toxins in the body, which can be fatal.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Malaria can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, making breathing difficult and leading to respiratory failure.

 

SEVERE INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNE RESPONSE

   The body’s immune system responds to the malaria infection by releasing chemicals to fight the parasites. In some cases, this response can cause inflammation throughout the body. The inflammation can overwhelm the body, causing complications like shock, low blood pressure, and organ damage.

 

HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR)

   In severe cases of malaria, especially when treated with certain antimalarial drugs, blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low, which can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, or death.

COMPLICATIONS IN PREGNANCY

   Pregnant women are more vulnerable to malaria. In addition to complications like anemia, malaria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm birth. If left untreated, it can be fatal for both the mother and the baby.

Malaria-related deaths occur mainly in regions where the disease is endemic (sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, and Latin America). Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with effective antimalarial medications significantly reduce the risk of death.

AREAS WITH HIGH MALARIA RATE

• Climate: Malaria thrives in warm, humid climates with standing water for mosquitoes to breed in. The rainy season provides ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.
• Altitude: Malaria is less common in higher-altitude areas, though it can still occur at lower transmission rates in such regions.
• Rural Areas: Malaria is more common in rural areas where people have limited access to healthcare and preventive measures, such as insecticide-treated bed nets.

MARBURG VIRUS: SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION

Marburg virus disease is a severe hemorrhagic fever that affects humans and monkeys. It was first discovered in 1967, and the virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, which also causes Ebola virus disease. Despite its rarity, the potential for outbreaks and the high fatality rate make it important to understand the symptoms of this dangerous disease, its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

WHAT IS MARBURG VIRUS?

Marburg virus disease is caused by the Marburg virus, a zoonotic RNA virus. It is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads between humans through contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. This disease can lead to severe viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and has a fatality rate of up to 88%, depending on the virus strain and case management.

Seek a second opinion from trusted experts and ensure the right decisions are made.

TYPES OF MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Marburg virus disease (MVD) generally refers to a single disease caused by the Marburg virus. However, the spread and severity of Marburg can vary, leading to different clinical forms.

SYMPTOMS OF MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Marburg virus disease usually has a sudden onset, with symptoms appearing after an incubation period of 2 to 21 days. Early symptoms include:

• High fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Weight loss
• Shock
• Liver dysfunction
• Heavy bleeding

CAUSES AND TRANSMISSION OF MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Origin and Reservoir: Marburg virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, especially the species Rousettus aegyptiacus. These bats are considered the natural reservoir of the virus. Human infection can occur through contact with bat urine, feces, or saliva.

Human-to-Human Transmission: Once a human is infected, Marburg virus can spread through direct contact with the blood, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals.

DIAGNOSIS OF MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Diagnosing Marburg virus disease requires specialised laboratory tests due to its similarity to other viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola which is affecting DR Congo for many years.

TREATMENT OF MARBURG VIRUS DISEASE

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Marburg virus disease. Therefore, treatment is focused on managing symptoms. Healthcare providers may start by treating headaches, then manage vomiting and diarrhea, and replace fluids lost through these symptoms.

It is recommended to avoid environments that may harbor fruit bats, such as mines and ruins. Maintaining cleanliness by regularly washing hands, keeping the environment clean, and properly washing food is important. When caring for someone with the virus, family members should take precautions to avoid contact with bodily fluids from the infected person.

If you notice symptoms of this disease, report to a healthcare centre to get further assistance

CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY

It is crucial to ensure your child’s safety and prevent early childhood deaths. The best way to protect your baby is by ensuring they receive vaccines to protect against infectious diseases. 

In Tanzania, there is a protocol for every baby to receive vaccinations from birth, such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Rubella, and Measles. The doctor will explain which vaccines are essential and how often they should be administered.

CHILDHOOD FEVER

A newborn may experience fever due to various conditions. Fever in babies is common and is usually caused by an increase in body temperature, vomiting and diarrheas. This can worry many parents, but it is important to see a doctor if the condition worsens.

 CHILDHOOD DISEASES AND DISABILITIES

Some children are born healthy but may develop physical disabilities as they grow. These include:

• Hearing loss
• Vision impairment
• Inability to walk
• Clubfoot
• Speech difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Congenital diseases

The doctor may advise on how to help prevent or treat these conditions.

CHILD BEHAVIOUR BY AGE

AS CHILDREN GROW 0-5 YEARS NEW BEHAVIORS EMERGE.

The doctor and psychologist provide us with insights into these developmental stages and behaviours. For instance, a two-year-old may start showing strong will-fulness, throwing tantrums, and wanting to do things on their own.

Children's behavior from 0-5 years old undergoes significant development, as they progress through various stages of cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Here’s a breakdown of key behaviour patterns in this age range:

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INFANCY: 0-1 YEAR OLD

A child does feeling of attachment and bonding. 0-1 year a child is known as Infants where he/she form strong bonds with primary caregivers. They may show distress when separated from their caregivers or a mother.

 Parent or caregiver must pay attention to the child because at this stage they can only express their feeling by action.

 Babies develop various behavior which may excite a new mother. That moment she sees the baby start to sense the source of sound, turn their head around, smile, cry and explore their environment, especially by touching, mouthing, and grasping objects.

Around 6 months, babies  may begin to sit, crawl, and grab things. By 12 months, many begin to stand and walk with assistance. one this thing to remember is not to compare your child’s growth speed with others as many parents do. Every child grows and develop at his/her pace, depending on the circumstances. 

Some children are born with deficiency and other are lucky to be born healthy and strong, this may depend on the parents genetic and diet a mother was eating during 9 months of pregnancy. However, if you observe anything unusual to your child, make move to contact a specialize doctor for checkup and assurance

TODDLERHOOD: 1-2 YEARS OLD

At this stage Toddlers begin to grow independent behavior, vocabulary has expanded so he/she start to express feeling by words than action. They often start to say "no" and resisting instructions.

Parents need to be more careful to what they say in-front of their toddler as they start to imitate adults and older children, learning through listening and observation. 

They experience more complex emotions, including frustration and anger, especially as they struggle to communicate. 

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EARLY CHILDHOOD: 2-3 YEARS OLD

 Toddlers start to socialize with other children and  showing a desire for independence. I remember my daughter when she was 2 years, she wanted to feed herself with hand and attempting do like other older children. 

Vocabulary expands rapidly, and sentences become longer and more complex. Children start to use pronouns and verbs.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AGE: 4-5 YEARS OLD

Children has psychologically developed to the extent that they can show their preferences  in activities and friendship . They want to be free and emotionally they become better at recognising and naming their own emotion and emotions of others. 

In terms of language, sentences become even more complex as they start to communicate more clearly and express their thought in a more organised way.

By the way it is very important to understand that, not all has been written may happen the same to your child. As we said before, children are varying the way they grow physically, emotionally and mentally. This variation is the outcome of circumstance which a child went through, either before or after being born.

BABY'S SLEEPING HABITS

 

During the first few weeks, your baby will sleep between feedings, but as they grow, the amount of time spent sleeping will decrease. They may start waking up during the day. 

By the time they are one year old, they may only sleep twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. 

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Many babies are not disturbed by light, noise, or other activities in their environment, but if possible, the baby should have their own room. It has become common for many parents to sleep in the same room with their baby, even sharing a bed, as it makes breastfeeding easier and can strengthen the bond between mother and child. 

However, studies have shown that babies who sleep in the same room with their parents often have sleep problems during the first year, and parents may face difficulties when it’s time to separate sleeping spaces.

 If the space is small, it’s advisable to have separate rooms for the parents and baby, and if this is not possible, try separating them with a barrier like a wooden wall, a curtain, or something similar.

My sister used to sleep with her baby to make breastfeeding easier and maintain mama -child bond. As the baby was getting older, she started complaining that the baby was sucking too much, the whole night without a sleep. Unlucky when the baby grows older became difficult to separate from his/her mother because he/she already copied with a certain habit.

Do you sleep with your baby? Tell us your experience in the comment bellow .

BABY HYGIENE

Bathing a baby might be confusing to a new mama, because many stories which exist for centuries vary from country to country, and region to region.

Expert suggests, It’s not necessary to bathe your baby every day; three times a week is enough. many question remains unanswered on how to keep a bathe routine with the temperature increase around the global.

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The bathing routine may not be the same every day, but always ensure the baby’s safety while bathing. Never leave your baby alone in a bath or tub with water, and always keep everything you need within arm’s reach. 

You can bathe the baby in a plastic basin or any container that is not flat. You can place a towel or napkin inside to prevent slipping. Use lukewarm water, around 37°C, which should feel warm to your hand but not hot or cold. Support the baby’s head with one hand and their bottom with the other, gently placing them in the bath. 

Wash the face first without soap, then the head and the rest of the body. After the bath, lay the baby on a towel and pat them dry. Be cautious with the baby’s head, keeping it away from powders to avoid respiratory issues. 

If you are cleaning a baby girl, make sure to clean the folds of the labia, as oils may collect there. For an uncircumcised baby boy, gently pull back the skin of the penis to clean the head and ensure proper hygiene.

where are you? what is your baby's bathe routine?

comment bellow!

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEW BORN BABY?

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Almost all parents treat their baby like a balloon filled with water that is ready to burst. These parents overprotect the baby’s umbilical cord, nails, soft spots on the baby's head, and if the baby is a boy, even his circumcised genital area. 

The umbilical area requires extra care immediately after birth. The doctor ties and carefully cuts the umbilical cord. The small stump left behind after cutting will dry up and fall off after one to three weeks, allowing the wound to heal. 

Occasionally, there may be drops of blood in the stump, which should be gently wiped with clean cotton and reported to the doctor. Keep the area clean and dry. The doctor may recommend using alcohol to wipe the area until the wound is completely healed. Also, using a cotton ball to clean the baby is important, as sometimes the umbilical area can get red, causing potential infections. 

If this occurs, contact the doctor as soon as possible. If the baby's nails are long, they may scratch themselves, so it’s important to trim them regularly. If trimming the nails is difficult because the baby is fidgeting, it is recommended to wait until the baby is asleep. 

The soft spots on the baby’s head are where the bones haven't fused yet, but a tough membrane covers and protects these areas. Cleaning these spots won't cause harm. If a baby boy has been circumcised, a few drops of blood might appear shortly after the procedure. 

After a few days, use Vaseline or petroleum jelly to cover it, along with sterile gauze to ensure healing. After a few days, clean the baby’s genital area with clean cotton and soap that doesn't contain chemicals. Alcohol should not be used, as it could cause irritation, and talcum powder should be avoided.

let us know in the comment bellow ,how did handle your new babies?

NEW BORN BABY FIRST EXPERIENCE

 NEWBORN/BABY UP TO 18 MONTHS

A baby is a small thing that can make a big difference in your life, but also something to nurture. Having a new baby is something to be proud of, but it also means sleepless nights of breastfeeding, changing diapers, which seem to get dirty all the time, comforting, and other such challenges. 

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The first tooth, the first fever, the first step, the first fall, the first dressing and undressing, all these are part of having a new baby, but they are also part of the important challenges you, as a parent, have accepted. The challenge of raising and helping your child become strong and independent is in your hands, dear parent.

The first time you will see your baby will be just after birth. The baby may be quiet, sleeping, or crying. The baby's head may appear misshapen because the bones of the skull are soft and not fused, and their skin may be reddish and slippery as if covered in oil that can be washed off. 

Some babies are born without any hair, while others have sparse long hair that falls off after a few weeks and grows into regular hair. Your baby’s eyes might appear swollen, especially after the doctor administers eye drops to protect against infections. 

Their hands and feet may be curled, possibly with a bluish or mottled color. Overall, this little being may not look as perfect as you envisioned it months ago. Are books and magazines wrong? Where is the beautiful healthy skin? 

The blue eyes, the curly hair, and where is that smile after being placed in the mother's arms? Be patient. This is their first day in the world, and they are not yet prepared for such an overwhelming experience. Give yourself time, give them time, and remember, the joy and the hard work of parenting has just begun.

Tell us in the comment what was your first impression to the new born baby?