By CHIOMA OBINNA

“What if I get malaria while I am pregnant?” She asked. Don’t direct your thoughts in that direction, I answered. Actually, pregnancy makes you susceptible to malaria. Studies have suggested that if you get malaria while you are pregnant, your immunity level decreases.

I recall that six weeks into Julie’s pregnancy she had malaria. She never accessed treatment until it was discovered that the foetus was no longer breathing. Julie was induced and in the process it was discovered she had malaria. Unfortunately, it affected the foetus.

Malaria in pregnant women can lead to complications. These include jaundice, anaemia, haemorrhage, enlargement of the spleen, and kidney failure. If a pregnant woman has malaria, there is a greater risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, low birth weight babies and neonatal death. There is also a small risk of the baby being born with malaria.

Passing malaria to the unborn

It is possible but rare. Most babies remain unharmed but in very rare cases the baby can get the disease through the placenta. When this happens it can cause serious complications. If caught early can be treated so make sure to keep an eye out for symptoms of malaria
Symptoms usually begin to show 10-15 days after the mosquito bite. They include a high fever, headache, chills and vomiting. In some cases the fever occurs in 48 hour cycles of shivering and then extreme sweating.
Only a blood test will confirm malaria.

After having an attack, am I immune for life?

No, you cannot be completely immune to malaria, if you have had it just once. Your body gradually acquires some natural immunity, but only after repeated bouts of the disease. So, prevention is a safer option.

What can I do to prevent getting malaria?

Keep mosquitoes at bay. Try to keep your surroundings free of mosquito breeding grounds, such as stagnant water, especially during the rains. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours so wear light colours.
Stay in air-conditioned or cool areas. Use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets to ward off bites

Can I breastfeed my baby if I have malaria?

Yes you can. There is a very slim chance of the malaria parasite being transmitted through breast milk. Studies show breast milk has immunity benefits to help protect your baby. Negatives of breastfeeding whilst you have malaria are outweighed by the positives.
Research shows only a negligible amount of anti-malarial drugs pass on to breast milk and the benefits of breast milk far outweigh any harm that the drugs may cause to your baby.