WANTED: MALARIA
BY: Chas Pedersen
What is Malaria
Malaria is a disease caused by a female mosquito bite the carries a parasite once it enters the body it can cause high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and anemia.
Transmission
When the mosquito bites you it releases a parasite known as sporozoite that travels through the bloodstream and into the liver. Once in the liver the sporozoites mature and make new parasites called merozoites, these little guys also travel through the bloodstream, but instead of going into the liver they attack and take over red blood cells. When in the blood cell the parasite multiplies, this process take about 48-72 hours. When the parasites are made they burst through the cell and attack more red blood cells. This process causes fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, anemia, nausea, sweating, and vomiting.
Most Common Prey
The most common prey of Malaria is small children usually ages 5 and under. Most of these children that have Malaria are in Africa because they do not have protection from mosquitoes.
Where is Malaria found
Malaria affects 108 countries 45 being Africa, most South America, all of Mexico, and almost half of Russia and all of China. Each year there is about 257,000,000 cases of Malaria.
Symptoms Caused
There are a lot of Symptoms regarding Malaria like. Anemia, blood stools, chills, coma
convulsion, fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, sweating, and vomiting.
convulsion, fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, sweating, and vomiting.
Degree of Damage
I think that Malaria is a very serious disease that needs to be taken care of right away because if not, can cause serious illness or even death. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) estimates that there are 300-500 million cases of malaria each year, and more than 1 million people die from it. It presents a major disease hazard for travelers that are visiting warm climates.
Treatment
All types of Malaria should be treated, especially Falciparum malaria, it`s a medical emergency that requires a hospital stay. Chloroquine is the most common medical treatment against Malaria cases. Depending on where you were at the time of infection IV`s or respiratory medicane is used to cure or prevent the disease from multiplying.
5 interesting facts about Malaria
- In 2009, about 225 million people were living with malaria and 781,000 died from the disease.
- At least one million deaths occur every year from malaria.
- 35 countries, 30 in which are in Africa, are responsible for 98% of worldwide malaria deaths.
- It costs Africa $30 billion every year in lost productivity and takes up 40% of hospital expenditures.
- Malaria kills more African children than any other disease.