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...]
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...]
Recurring Malaria
QUESTION I had malaria twice when I was 4 and 8 years old. I am 50 years old now but I have severe chills at least once or twice a month, muscle aches, fatigue severe head aches for the past 10-15 years with no apparent cause and my I take head ache medication for migraine (maxalt and excedrim) and my chills and fatigue is getting more frequent. I had no other history of any diseases. Is this … [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...]
Symptoms and Causes of Malaria
QUESTION What are the symptoms and 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 … [Read more...]
What are the causes of malaria?
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...]
Is malaria possible years after bite?
QUESTION My child had a fever for 40 days after returning from a cruise 3 years ago. I begged the pediatrician to test for malaria because she got bit by something in Mexico but they laughed at me. She has had swollen lymph nodes on both sides of her neck for 3 years and all the docs tell me you can have swollen lymph nodes forever but now she has them in her groin and under arm on left side. … [Read more...]
How long do I need to carry a Malaria Risk Card
QUESTION Hello, 13 months ago I worked in Nigeria, Africa for a period of 6 weeks. During which time I took Malarone tables daily. I think I was only bitten once or twice when there - but have never had Malaria. I currently carry a Malaria Risk Card in my wallet. At the time I was told I could potentially contract Malaria up to a period of 2 years after exposure - is this correct, or can I now … [Read more...]
How many types of malaria are there?
QUESTION How many types of malaria are there? ANSWER There are four species of malaria parasite that commonly infect humans. These are: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. In addition, a fifth species, P. knowlesi, is starting to draw public health attention as an infection in humans in south-east Asia, and particularly Borneo - previously, it was thought to only … [Read more...]
Long term health effects of malaria when young?
QUESTION I'm trying to find out if having malaria at a young age can have long term effects on health. Around 25 years ago when I was 4 years old I contracted malaria when living in central Africa. Unfortunately I do not know the type of malaria, only that I received medication and recovered without complications. Over the last few years I've had a general feeling of poor health and … [Read more...]