QUESTION Why do male mosquitoes not bites humans? ANSWER Male mosquitoes do not possess the right kind of feeding apparatus to feed on humans—they only feed on nectar. This is because they do not need to produce eggs, which require lots of energy and protein to make, and so the female mosquitoes need a more comprehensive food source than just nectar when they are egg-laying, such as … [Read more...]
Socio economic conditions surrounding malaria
QUESTION What are the socio economic conditions surrounding malaria? ANSWER Malaria transmission requires the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes; as such, conditions which favor the growth and persistence of these mosquitoes will also be hotspots for malaria transmission, provided the climate is also sufficiently warm for the development of the parasite within the mosquito. Rural areas … [Read more...]
Malaria: Mode of Transmission
QUESTION What is the mode of transmission of Malaria? ANSWER Malaria is transmitted normally via the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes, always female and of the genus Anopheles, carry malaria parasites in their salivary glands. The parasites, at this part of their life cycle known as sporozoites, are introduced into the host's blood when the mosquito takes a blood meal. From … [Read more...]
Malaria in Vietnam, Thailand, Bali
QUESTION: I am 5 months pregnant and I was thinking about going on holiday to Vietnam, Thailand, or Bali. What is the risk of malaria in this countries? RESPONSE: Malaria transmission occurs in all of the nations you mention, though certain areas within these nations are lower risk. You can find out more about specific regions and local antimalarial resistance patterns at the … [Read more...]
Malaria from Vietnam War
QUESTION: If my husband contracted malaria from serving in the Vietnam War but has never been treated for it, what are the symptoms that he might have experienced in the past that could have been caused by malaria but not diagnosed correctly? Also is it possible that malaria infection could cause any type of birth defects to his children? ANSWER: Most people with primary … [Read more...]
Malaria Fever and Recovery
QUESTION My 21 year old daughter spent 4 months on a study abroad program in Dakar. A week before returning home she started having night fevers and would complain of retrosternal pain and rib and neck and shoulder pain. The next day she would be fine. The episodes came every other day and eventually it occurred to her that it might be malaria. It was evening so she went to a pharmacy for a … [Read more...]
Malaria Statistics 2008-2012
QUESTION Where i go if i want statistic of malaria from 2008-2011 ANSWER Without more information, I am assuming you would like statistics on malaria cases and deaths for 2008-2012. The best data on malaria comes from the World Health Organization, which retrospectively publishes its best estimated for malaria in its annual World Malaria Reports. Each report publishes the figures from the … [Read more...]
Rash and Malaria
QUESTION Is random rash-like swelling on parts of your body coupled with back pains and joint aches and cold sweats all malaria symptom? If so, what is the parasite type and the cure? ANSWER Rashes are not usually associated with malaria infection; the symptoms you describe are however consistent with several other infections, some of which can be quite serious, such as dengue fever. You … [Read more...]
Untreated Malaria
QUESTION If I am infected with malaria and I get a wrong diagnosis and be treated for flu, can the other symptoms disappear but continue to experience severe headache especially on the right side temple and jawbone area combined with general weakness and numbness in the legs? ANSWER Certainly the symptoms of malaria can often be confused with other infections, including flu. Given that … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Blood Test: Malaria in Nepal and India
QUESTION My daughter has returned from a 6 week trip to Nepal and then India. About 20 minutes into the flight home she developed pains and aches in her hips and legs, fever, generally feeling dreadful but no nausea or diarrhea. When she arrived after the 10 hour flight her temperature was 100.5. We were concerned about malaria, but when she saw her primary care doctor the next morning she … [Read more...]