QUESTION What are Gametocytes? ANSWER Gametocytes are the sexually reproductive form of the malaria parasite. They circulate in the blood of the human/mammal host and are picked up by the mosquito when it takes a blood meal. Inside the mosquito, the gametocytes undergo sexual reproduction in the mosquito midgut, producing oocysts which attach to the midgut wall and produce sporozoites, … [Read more...]
What do people look like when they have malaria?
QUESTION What do people look like when they have malaria? ANSWER They look sick! When a person has malaria, they experience a flu-like illness, characterised by cycles of fevers and chills, and often accompanied by headaches and nausea. In addition, they may have jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes) due to loss of red blood cells. … [Read more...]
Slight Malaria
QUESTION Does "slight malaria" mean you have malaria? ANSWER You have malaria if you are infected with the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. However, having a few of the parasites does not mean you experience symptoms of the disease. Some forms of malaria, like P. malariae, can persist in a patient without causing any symptoms. However, in some cases, particularly P. falciparum … [Read more...]
ACT Therapy, Missed Doses
QUESTION I had recently encountered with malaria and started artemether and lumefantrine . Out of 6 tab of 80mg 4 I had taken 2 missed. Please suggest. ANSWER When a dose of ACT is missed, do not take an extra dose to compensate. Instead, take the next dose as soon as you remember, and continue until you have taken all of the tablets. Keep a close watch on any symptoms of illness that … [Read more...]
Recovery Time
QUESTION My friend was diagnosed with P. Falciparum today. She was suffering from high fever, shivering and all the symptoms related to Malaria. She is now hospitalized after 1 week of these symptoms and her medication has started. I know this malaria is dangerous. Can you please tell me how much time it would take to be in the normal state and time to recover? Do reply, I'm waiting for your … [Read more...]
Population of Malaria
QUESTION How many people have malaria today? ANSWER According to the World Health Organization, there are about 250 million cases of malaria every year. 3.3 billion people, or almost half the world's population, live at risk of contracting the disease. … [Read more...]
Malaria Blogs
QUESTION Are there any malaria blogs written by field staff or others working in malaria endemic areas? Most of the discussion I see on the web is focused on research and general knowledge, as opposed to day-to-day efforts to distribute bed nets, treat infections, and control the vector in local areas. I would be interested to read the accounts of individuals working on malaria at the local … [Read more...]
Use of Fish for Malaria Eradication
QUESTION Why is very little research being done on the possibility of mosquito fish being used as a means of controlling the hatching of new eggs? ANSWER Actually there is a lot of scientific literature on the use of fish as a biological control of mosquitoes, usually through consumption of the mosquito larvae or pupae while they are in freshwater. The most common species used for this … [Read more...]
Repellent for Malaria Mosquitos
QUESTION My daughter is leaving for Africa for 5 weeks on a mission trip. Is there a repellent that can be used to ward off these infected mosquitos? Also what can she do to stay safe and protected? ANSWER There is no way of warding off only those mosquitoes that are infected with malaria. However, insect repellents which contain DEET (10% or higher) are the most effective against the … [Read more...]
Malaria in Burkina Faso
QUESTION (1)What drug is administered in the first 24 hours after malaria symptoms onset. What side effects have this/these drugs. (2) I it is not possible to reach a treatment facility etc until 7 days after initial chills, fever etc and there are no symptoms remaining other than tiredness what is the drug of choice?. Local people say it is malaria but there is no diagnostic facility near … [Read more...]