Malaria
By: Kiriayani J. Diaz
Transmitted
Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito such as the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito.
Symptoms
Malaria can cause fever, chills, and flu-like illness which includes shaking chills, headaches, muscle aches, and tiredness. If not treated, may cause severe complications, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The following symptoms may also occur if left untreated: mental confusion, seizures, comas, kidney failure, and death.
Treatment
Some drugs have been made to reduce the chances of dying from the disease such as Chloroquine and Doxycycline.
Preventing Malaria
Ways you can prevent yourself from getting malaria are taking an antimalarial drug or preventing mosquito bites by wearing long sleeve shirts or using bug spray. Never use bug spray under clothes.
Interesting Facts:
- Malaria is not a contagious disease. It cannot be contracted through contact with an infected person, sexually, or otherwise.
- In the US, about 1,500 cases of malaria are found every year.
- In 2012, 207 million clinical cases of malaria were recorded worldwide. 627,000 cases were fatal.
- Pregnant women are extremely vulnerable to Malaria. If the disease is contracted during pregnancy, it can be passed to the infant or result in low birth weight, which decreases the baby's chance of survival.
Malaria - Life Cycle of Plasmodium [HD Animation]