QUESTION What are the causes of malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and they … [Read more...]
Repeated Malaria
QUESTION Since January 2011 I got three times malaria. Is it come regularly? Last week also I got maleria and I took medicine but still I have mild headache and sweating feeling tiredenes in between.. ANSWER The timing of the repeated malaria episodes you have experienced means that it could be recrudescence (where treatment does not completely kill all the malaria parasites in your … [Read more...]
Information About Malaria
QUESTION What is malaria? ANSWER Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a tiny parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito (of the genus Anopheles) which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Four kinds of malaria parasites can infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, … [Read more...]
Test for Malaria?
QUESTION Is there a way to verify that someone has had malaria? I had symptoms that were treated with only 10 days of proper 14 days prescription and had a relapse a year later. Have felt weak and keep my drinking to a very light level as a result. Is there test that can be taken to verify having/had plasmodium vivax? ANSWER The best way to test for relapsing malaria (i.e. Plasmodium … [Read more...]
Sexual Intercourse During Malaria Infection
QUESTION Can one have sexual intercourse during malaria infection? Can malaria be transmitted by sexual intercourse? ANSWER Malaria cannot be transmitted by sexual intercourse. It is usually transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito. Because the parasites infect red blood cells, malaria can also be transmitted via blood transfusion (if the blood is not screened beforehand), … [Read more...]
How many countries have malaria?
QUESTION How many countries are malaria infected? ANSWER As of 2010, there were 108 countries which were listed as having endemic malaria—that is, malaria which was transmitted within the country. This includes 43 countries in Africa, 10 countries in south-east Asia, 13 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean (which includes most of Central Asia and parts of North and East … [Read more...]
Malaria Deaths by Country
QUESTION Where are the most deaths of malaria? ANSWER Over 90% of the deaths from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in children under the age of five. According to the World Health Organisation's 2011 World Malaria Report, the countries with the five highest numbers of reported malaria deaths for 2010 are (and number of reported deaths): Kenya (26,017 deaths), Democratic Republic … [Read more...]
Malaria’s Scientific Name
QUESTION What is malaria's scientific name? ANSWER The genus name for the single-celled parasite which causes malaria is Plasmodium. In the genus, there are five species which infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum (the most deadly kind), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. … [Read more...]
Complete Course of Anti-Malarial Drugs
QUESTION Hi, I am in Goa and so far have not been bitten by anything. I am taking anti malaria tablets which I do not like. My question is this. If I do not receive any bites do I need to complete the course when I get home? ANSWER It is always better to complete the course of anti-malarials, just in case you actually did get bitten but just did not notice it. However, in some cases, the … [Read more...]
Malaria Drug Binding Site
QUESTION What is malaria, and drug binding site? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. Five kinds of Plasmodium are known to infect people: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. There is no one drug binding site with respect to malaria: different anti-malarial drugs have different modes of action, and not all … [Read more...]