Malaria

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and explore Malaria in a holistic manner. Malaria is a disease that was once the most chronic and contagious disease. This disease accompanies severe symptoms; nonetheless, the contemporary advancement in scientific study and medicine has made it a curable disease. Forty years ago, when malaria was also widespread in the temperate zones of Europe and North America, there were hopes of eradicating it with a combination of DDT-saturation of mosquito-ridden areas and anti-malarial drugs. However, both the Anopheles mosquito and the parasite responsible for most deaths (Plasmodium falciparum) have developed resistance. The reappearance of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever in territories where local populations have no immunity raises the possibility of major epidemics - rapidly developing outbreaks that affect great numbers of people. The core objective of this paper is to discuss malaria and its historic background. Moreover, the paper also discusses the historic outbreak of the disease and the era in which it started spreading.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

History of Malaria Outbreak and Spreading5

Characteristics of Malaria8

Diagnosis10

Prevention10

Prophylaxis11

Treatment11

Patient Care12

Conclusion12

References14

Malaria

Introduction

Malaria is the world's second-largest killer disease (after TB). Half a billion people suffer periodic attacks of malaria and the disease kills an estimated 2 million people each year. Today, with more than 40 percent of the world's population living in high-risk areas, malaria is running out of control. Deforestation and changing agricultural practices have created new breeding grounds for mosquitoes and global warming is enabling the resurgence of the disease in sub-tropical and temperate zones where it had earlier been eradicated. The global prevalence of dengue fever, a severe flu-like illness, has mushroomed in recent decades, and the disease is now endemic (constantly present) in more than 100 countries. In 2001, some 390,000 cases were reported in Brazil alone, including more than 670 cases of the potentially lethal form, dengue haemorrhagic fever.

It is not as widespread as Vivax but it is responsible for the majority of the deaths Malaria has done. 90% of deaths caused from this specific strain (AVERT). Malariae is the weakest of the strains and, only responsible for 10% of Malaria cases in Africa. Malariae has much lower virus and reproduction count within the liver, making this type less dangerous. It is also, has the lowest rate of its infection because it is possible for an average human immune system to combat this strain. The Ovale strain is only somewhat stronger than the Malariae strain, having the same symptoms and relatively similar infection rate. The difference is that the Ovale strain, when looked under a microscope the virus is in shape of an oval, hence the name. Malaria is a very common disease in the southern parts of the earth because mosquitoes can be found usually in tropical and sub-tropical regions because of the wet breeding grounds that are usually found in these areas.

Malaria can affect the society as the disease causes deterioration of human's health, lowers life expectancy, increases death and infant mortality ...