Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite, passed on when an infected mosquito bites. It is a major cause of death worldwide but has almost been wiped out in the United States. It is mainly a problem in developing countries with warm climates, and travellers to them are at risk.
Types
There are several types of malaria, caused by related parasites. The deadliest occurs in Africa south of the Sahara.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms include chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice. A blood test can diagnose it. Malaria can be life-threatening, but it can be treated with drugs; which drug depends on the type of malaria and where the infection was caught.
Prevention
Malaria can be prevented. When travelling where it occurs:
- see your doctor for medicines that protect you;
- wear insect repellent with DEET;
- cover up;
- sleep under a mosquito net.
MedlinePlus says there are four types of malaria caused by four related parasites; CDC now lists five species of the malaria parasite that infect people.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Malaria," drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://medlineplus.gov/malaria.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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