What is Malaria?
A Worldwide Problem
Every year this disease harms people in over 50 countries. 200 million people will become infected with malaria each year. It is estimated that 91% of these infections occur in African and third world countries. When people become infected with malaria they are prevented from entering the work force, and tourism suffers when an area is plagued by malaria. As a result, malaria does not only cause destruction through medical problems,
but it brings down the economies of countries as well. It is estimated that malaria costs Africa $12 billion a year in lost productivity.
(photo credit: http://www.research.olemiss.edu)
but it brings down the economies of countries as well. It is estimated that malaria costs Africa $12 billion a year in lost productivity.
(photo credit: http://www.research.olemiss.edu)
A Killer of Children
Malaria destroys the lives of all who are exposed to it, but it is most
harmful to defenseless children. This is especially true in Africa, where Malaria
is the leading cause of child death. Every minute, one child dies from malaria.
Even the children that do not die from Malaria suffer because the disease keeps
them out of school and prevents them from a healthy childhood.
(Photo credit: ://treeofglory.net)
harmful to defenseless children. This is especially true in Africa, where Malaria
is the leading cause of child death. Every minute, one child dies from malaria.
Even the children that do not die from Malaria suffer because the disease keeps
them out of school and prevents them from a healthy childhood.
(Photo credit: ://treeofglory.net)
The Result of a Bite
Malaria is transmitted by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles.
The female Anopheles mosquito caries the parasite that causes Malaria in its
stomach. These mosquitoes are the only kind that bite humans, so It only takes
one bite to have a life ruined forever. Once bitten, the parasite enters the
human hosts bloodstream, and malaria takes over.
(photo credit http://www.topnews.in)
The female Anopheles mosquito caries the parasite that causes Malaria in its
stomach. These mosquitoes are the only kind that bite humans, so It only takes
one bite to have a life ruined forever. Once bitten, the parasite enters the
human hosts bloodstream, and malaria takes over.
(photo credit http://www.topnews.in)
A Parasitic Disease
The parasite that causes Malaria is of the genus Plasmodium.
Specifically Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale
and Plasmodium malariae. All of these species cause Malaria, Plasmodium
Falciparum is the most likely to cause death. When the parasite enters the blood stream it goes straight to the victims liver, where it begins reproducing. It then enters the bloodstream and continues reproducing. These Red Blood Cells that become infected burst, depleting the body of oxygen and harming the victim.
(photo credit: www.facebook.com)
Specifically Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale
and Plasmodium malariae. All of these species cause Malaria, Plasmodium
Falciparum is the most likely to cause death. When the parasite enters the blood stream it goes straight to the victims liver, where it begins reproducing. It then enters the bloodstream and continues reproducing. These Red Blood Cells that become infected burst, depleting the body of oxygen and harming the victim.
(photo credit: www.facebook.com)
A Traumatic Experience
Once infected, patients experience a wide range of symptoms, including fever, child, headache, sweats, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain. Long term effects of the disease include impaired function of the brain or spinal cord, coma, or liver failure. Even after the initial symptoms have gone away, the parasite stays dormant in the liver for years and may flare up at any time.
(photo credit: http://exploreable.wordpress.com)
(photo credit: http://exploreable.wordpress.com)
Malaria is preventable. Now is the time to stop this terrible disease.