QUESTION Is Plasmodium a bacteria. Why? ANSWER No, Plasmodium is actually a protozoan—that is, a single-celled organism that is usually microscopic and belongs to the Domain Eukaryota (which also includes all plants and animals, but excludes bacteria and archaea). More specifically, Plasmodium belongs to the Apicomplexa group of protozoans, which are characterised as being parasites of … [Read more...]
How does one catch malaria?
QUESTION How do you get 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 must have … [Read more...]
Dangerous
QUESTION Why malaria so dangerous? ANSWER Malaria can be dangerous for a number of different reasons, some of which relate to each other. First of all, there are five different types of malaria that infect humans, and each varies in terms of its severity and potential for severe consequences. Even within these types, the severity of the disease caused (termed "virulence" by scientists and … [Read more...]
Thalassaemia and Malaria
QUESTION How can Thalassaemia effect Malaria infection? ANSWER Thalassaemia is the name given to a group of inherited genetic blood disorders, which result in reduced or no synthesis of one of the globin protein chains that combine to make haemaglobin. Haemaglobin is used to carry oxygen throughout the body and to its organs. Thalassaemia can result in anaemia; in some cases, this is … [Read more...]
Malaria Parasite Picture
QUESTION Please show parasites pictures. ANSWER The first plate below shows various stages of the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria, and the most commonly found type in sub-Saharan Africa. Below that, a similar plate shows a series of images of Plasmodium vivax, the most widespread type of malaria. A: The stages of P. falciparum. 1: Normal red cell; … [Read more...]
Where is malaria found?
QUESTION Where is malaria found? ANSWER Malaria is found throughout the world’s tropical and sub-tropical areas, and mainly in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. It is most common in tropical regions, where transmission occurs year-round; in sub-tropical and temperate areas, transmission may only occur during seasons that have appropriate climatic … [Read more...]
Dietary recommedations
QUESTION Can I have the dietary recommendations please. ANSWER I am afraid I do not completely understand your question. There are no known dietary measures that can be used to prevent malaria infection, nor are there and recommended ways of treating malaria with common foods. In the past, people drank tonic water, which contained quinine, as a way of preventing and treating malaria. … [Read more...]
Malaria Relapse
QUESTION Why do I suffer from constant malaria attack? The doctor has prescribed different prescriptions every time I get an attack but its still coming back. What could be the problem? ANSWER There are a number of possible answers to your question. First of all, your doctor might not be prescribing the right type of treatment for the type of malaria that you have. The World Health … [Read more...]
When to Seek Malaria Treatment
QUESTION I have been in New Guinea recently and 2 weeks on am exhibiting all the signs and symptoms of malaria. What is best course of action, considering I do not know what sort of mosquito was hovering about? ANSWER You should visit your physician or a clinic immediately. Depending on where you are, you may have to visit a specialist travel medicine clinic, to be sure that you will be … [Read more...]
Frequent Urination and Malaria
QUESTION Can malaria result in frequent urination, especially during night? ANSWER Malaria can affect the kidneys, especially malaria caused by P. falciparum. This could result in changes to urination patterns. However, at this stage in the infection, the patient would also be experiencing severe fever, chills and other symptoms associated with malaria. The fever would also likely be … [Read more...]