How to Keep Your Child Healthy and Malaria-Free This Monsoon

With the arrival of cooler temperatures and the much-awaited rains in the monsoon, children finally get a break from the sweltering summer heat. However, monsoons often bring a wave of diseases mainly dengue, typhoid, malaria, among others. The combination of weak immunity, humidity, stagnant water, and inadequate hygiene facilitates is the main reason for malaria in children. Malaria is caused by the malaria mosquito which then causes malaria symptoms in kids. If left untreated, malaria symptoms can further worsen by causing malaria fever in children. Let’s read further to know malaria is caused by which mosquito and treatment of malaria in children.¹

Why Monsoon Increases the Risk of Malaria in Children

1. Stagnant water & malaria mosquito breeding

Malaria mosquito thrives in stagnant, nutrient-rich water found in puddles, ditches, or containers. In still water, female mosquitoes deposit their eggs, which grow into larvae, pupae, and finally adult mosquitoes that later bite humans and infect them with malaria.²

2. Weak immunity during seasonal changes

Although the immune system defends us against illnesses, environmental variations, particularly rain, can impair it. Dry air dries down nasal linings, which allows viruses like the flu to more easily enter, while cold temperatures narrow blood vessels and weaken immune cells causing malaria symptoms thus leading to malaria fever in children.

3. Malaria is caused by

The monsoon season is when malaria, which is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquitoes that bite at night and reproduce in stagnant water, peaks. Even if there are fewer cases in India, it is still a major risk that can result in respiratory problems or even death. Using repellents and dressing in full sleeves are two ways to prevent malaria symptoms.¹

Common Malaria Symptoms in Kids to Watch Out For

Early recognition of malaria symptoms in kids is crucial because it can range from mild to fatal.

Keep an eye out for these typical malaria symptoms to be able to do malaria treatment:

• Recurrent fever with chills also termed as malaria fever in children
• Body aches and headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Perspiration followed by shivers
• Weakness or fatigue – which may manifest as an unusually drowsy or lethargic child

In more severe cases, symptoms may include:

• Seizures or twitches
• Anaemia related pale skin or yellowish eyes
• Severe fatigue or unable to sit, stand, or play
• Confusion or unusual drowsiness

Treatment of Malaria in Children: What Parents Should Know

1. If you have a fever, chills, vomiting, or rashes, get medical attention at once.
2. Finish the entire course of malaria treatment, even if your symptoms become better.
3. Keep a watchful eye on your malaria symptoms and head to the hospital right away if they get worse.
4. To avoid dehydration, make sure you are properly hydrated.
5. To promote healing, serve wholesome, light meals such soups, curd rice, or khichdi.

Effective Ways to Prevent Malaria during Monsoon

1. Use child-safe repellents, full sleeves, and nets to prevent mosquito bites.
2. Empty tires, buckets, coolers, and pots of standing water.
3. Cover doors and windows with mosquito screens.
4. Avoid playing outside post dark, when mosquitoes are most active.
5. To prevent breeding, clean water containers on a regular basis.
6. To prevent the accumulation of standing water, keep toilet lids closed.

Nutrition Tips to Build Immunity in Children for Malaria treatment

1. Serve well-balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy, and healthy fats.
2. For growth and immunity, include foods high in protein, such as eggs, paneer, dals, sprouts, and almonds.
3. Use water, soups, ORS, and coconut water to keep kids hydrated.
4. Choose hot, home-cooked meals over junk food or takeaway.
5. Steer clear of cold or raw foods to avoid stomach problems brought on by the monsoon.

Home Remedies for Mosquito Prevention as a Treatment of malaria in children

1. Since malaria is caused by mosquitoes, use natural insect repellents like neem oil or citronella.
2. In enclosed areas, use mosquito coils or burn camphor for ten to fifteen minutes.
3. Use screens or mesh to keep insects out of rooms that are ventilated.
4. To keep mosquitoes away, use diffusers with essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender).
5. Keep your nails clean and trimmed to maintain good nail hygiene.
6. To avoid infections, make sure to take a shower and wear dry clothes after playing.
7. Steer clear of wet clothing and switch to warm, dry clothing right away.
8. Maintain current hepatitis and flu immunisations, particularly before the monsoon season.

Conclusion

Due to mosquito breeding, low immunity, and stagnant water, children are more susceptible to diseases like malaria during the monsoon season. Parents can safeguard their children during this period by promptly treating them, practicing good hygiene, providing them with a balanced diet, and effectively preventing them from bites of malaria mosquito. However, if your child’s isn’t eating well, you can include a nutritional drink like Complan, which provides 63% more protein than the leading malt-based drink along with total of 34 vital nutrients and helps to meet the nutrients requirement.