Malaria forms the basis of the present discussion based on its scary nature. The disease infected about 227 million persons in 2019 and caused 627 000 deaths in 2020, according to CDC – Malaria – About Malaria – FAQs (2021). The CDC notes that malaria’s severity keeps increasing with time, especially within the African and South Asian regions. The disease is costly and deadly depending on the specific parasite infecting the victim.
Malaria is a lethal illness instigated by parasites transferred to humans via the bites of disease-ridden female Anopheles mosquitoes. There exist four parasites responsible for the disease broadcast, including Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi (Bates, 2021). The latter malarial parasite mainly infects macaques and can be transmitted from wild creatures to humans, causing zoonotic malaria (Bates, 2021). Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest of the four malaria parasites and causes deaths within a short while if appropriate medication is not sought. Despite its severity, malaria is avertible and curable through proper prevention methods and anti-malarial drugs.
Malaria infection has unique symptoms and signs that are diagnosable and treatable clinically. The disease’s symptoms include shaking, chills, fever, muscle aches, headache, malaise, and general flu-like indicators. Vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea are also common signs of the illness (Bates, 2021). Malaria can also lead to other secondary conditions like anemia, seizures, coma, confusion, and death. Jaundice is a prevalent sign of severe malaria and is characterized by the yellow pigmentation of the skin and eyes of the victim. Anyone can conduct malaria, especially after exposure to malaria-infested zones like the south of Sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia (World Health Organization, 2019). Countries with increased malaria risk belong to the malaria transmission zones established by the CDC.
Americans opting to travel to such areas can receive anti-malarial pre-medication at least a day before the voyage. Besides mosquito bites, receiving blood transfusion with malaria parasites leads to direct infection, while a mother infected with malaria can transfer the parasites to the unborn baby (World Health Organization, 2019). Expectant mothers and young children exhibit an increased risk of experiencing life-threatening conditions due to malaria infection due to their reduced malaria immunity. Persons traveling from malaria-less regions to locations with high malaria risk also exhibit abnormal risk factors towards the illness. Better still, impoverished individuals living in developing countries have a higher risk of dying from malaria due to lack of access to medication.
References
Bates, M. (2021). Malaria. ABDO.
CDC – Malaria – About Malaria – FAQs. (2021). Centers for disease control and prevention. Web.
Marques, P. (2020). Veterinary bacteriology. Delve Publishing.
World Health Organization. (2019). World malaria report 2019. World Health Organization.