Malaria is a potentially deadly disease caused by infection with the microscopic parasite Plasmodium. Plasmodium is transmitted to humans through bites from Anopheles mosquitoes infected with the parasite. According to the World Health Organization, malaria is present in more than 100 countries—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Each year there are roughly 300 million cases of malaria, and more than 1.5 million people die of the disease. Children and pregnant women are especially at risk for malaria. The June 2, 2004, issue of JAMA includes an article about using mosquito nets embedded with insect repellent to reduce the prevalence of malaria.
Grahic Jump Location
Symptoms usually appear about 9 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Sudden, violent chills
Intermittent fever
Sweating
Exhaustion
Headaches
Seizures
Delirium
Malaria is best diagnosed by looking for the Plasmodium parasites in a blood sample under the microscope.
Malaria is treated with drugs that interfere with the parasite's lifecycle or metabolism.
If you think you have malaria, seek medical treatment immediately.
Prevention is based on avoiding exposure to mosquitoes and aggressively treating people who are infected. Malaria control programs in many parts of the world are underfunded and ineffective. If you are traveling to an area where malaria is common, take antimalarial drugs exactly as prescribed by your physician and prevent mosquito bites by
Closing windows at night if possible
Sleeping with a mosquito net, preferably one containing an insecticide, with the edges tucked under the mattress
Covering up your body as much as possible with clothing
Applying an insect repellant to areas of the body not covered by clothing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 770/488-7788 http://www.cdc.gov/malaria
World Health Organization 202/974-3000 http://www.who.int/en
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Sources: American College of Cardiology; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association
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TOPIC: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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