malaria
It is one of the ten deadliest diseases of all time. It affects men, women, children, and animals. It is in full force in subtropical regions. This disease is malaria. Nearly 40 percent of the world's population lives in areas that are affected by the disease. It infects between 300 and 500 million people every year and causes between one and three million deaths annually, mostly among young children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is a serious, infectious disease spread by certain mosquitoes. It is caused by infection with the Plasmodium genus of the protozoan parasite, which is a single-celled organism that cannot survive outside of their hosts. More than one hundred species of this parasite exist. Four species infect human beings, the most common being Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum.
A person becomes infected with malaria when bitten by a female mosquito that processes the malaria parasite. It is also possible to spread malaria through contaminated needles or in blood transfusions. The parasite enters the blood stream and travels to the liver, where they multiply. When they re-emerge into the blood stream symptoms appear. By the time most symptoms show up, the parasites have reproduced very rapidly, clogging blood vessels and rupturing cells. Symptoms may include fever, chills, flu-like illness, and, in severe cases, coma and death.
Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites through the use of mosquito nets and insect repellents. Mosquito control is also an effective way of reducing the burden of malaria. This is achieved by spraying insecticides inside houses and reducing the standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Unfortunately, no vaccine is currently available to stop infection. Instead preventative drugs must be taken continuously to reduce the risk of malaria. Such drug treatments are simply too expensive for most individuals living in widespread areas. Malaria infections are treated through the use of
A person becomes infected with malaria when bitten by a female mosquito that processes the malaria parasite. It is also possible to spread malaria through contaminated needles or in blood transfusions. The parasite enters the blood stream and travels to the liver, where they multiply. When they re-emerge into the blood stream symptoms appear. By the time most symptoms show up, the parasites have reproduced very rapidly, clogging blood vessels and rupturing cells. Symptoms may include fever, chills, flu-like illness, and, in severe cases, coma and death.
Malaria transmission can be reduced by preventing mosquito bites through the use of mosquito nets and insect repellents. Mosquito control is also an effective way of reducing the burden of malaria. This is achieved by spraying insecticides inside houses and reducing the standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Unfortunately, no vaccine is currently available to stop infection. Instead preventative drugs must be taken continuously to reduce the risk of malaria. Such drug treatments are simply too expensive for most individuals living in widespread areas. Malaria infections are treated through the use of