What is the major killer of folks in Africa today? It is not traffic accidents or heart disease, nor is it cancer or criminal murderers, it is not political activists or government ethnic exterminators. No, it is the smallest of them all, the Malaria infecting mosquito. Malaria is still the commonest diseases seen in tropical countries, specially Africa and, is prevalent throughout the world. Hi my name is Ann and I am a registered Nurse. A friend of mine died of Malaria in recent times and what is most shocking of all is that she was a Registered Nurse as well. She married a farmer in the northern part of South Africa, near the Sabi Game Reserve, which is rather plagued by Malaria mosquitoes. They were wealthy Caucasian farmers and could meet the expense of all the precautions needed against Malaria. My nurse friend still died from the affliction and I wanted others to know the seriousness of avoiding Malaria carrying mosquitoes. This disease should not be taken lightly. There is a everyday saying among many African tribes “The biggest killer in Africa is the smallest of them all”
Malaria is due to an infection with a parasite called the plasmodium, of which there are a number of types of Malaria. The Tertian, Quartan and Subtertian malaria, of which the Subtertian malaria is the most cruel and accounts for most of the deaths.
The chief signs or symptoms of Malaria are, recurrent high fever accompanied by cruel rigors, profuse sweating, terrible headaches and vomiting. In grave cases delirium and coma are genarally present, created by shock, renal failure and spontaneous bleeding and jaundice.
The diagnosis is usually revealed by the high chronic temperature and fever with rigors and by finding the parasite in blood cultures. There are expert labs that can test the patient's parasites for resistance.
The malarial parasite is given to humans by a certain species of mosquito (anopheles) which introduces the parasite into the blood when it bites. Symptoms can appear in 7 days. Intermittently, the time between exposure and signs of illness may be as long as 8 to 10 months. The incubation period may be extended if you are taking remedies to inhibit infection (chemoprophylaxis) or because you have more or less immunity due to previous infections. People may have the condition, but, due to immunity, they have few or no symptoms. The organ most effected is the spleen, which acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are kept in it. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that trigger pneumonia and meningitis.
The annihilation of Malaria from most European countries has been efficient by the annihilation of the breeding grounds of the anopheline mosquito, by proper drainage of all stagnant waters. The measures for the prevention of malaria in tropical areas, including Africa, consist of the proper drainage and, when this is not viable, by pouring a layer of regular petroleum oil on the water to eradicate the immature mosquitoes.
Drug management of malaria is not always easy. Chloroquine, or usually referred to as Quinine is the drug of preference for all malarial parasites. Alas, resistance is often noted by drug-treatment failure in the individual patient. It is very upsetting that more and more cases are being found where mosquitoes have built up a resistance to Quinine. If this is the circumstances then an antibiotic protocol must be taken. In places where malaria is rife, suppressive therapy to protect against an attack of malaria must be given. If you are traveling to an area identified to have malaria, find out which drugs you need to take, and take them as approved. It is crucial to use the exact dosage for children. Currently, there is no vaccine obtainable for Malaria. Please know that presently that the, P. falciparum strain of mosquito infection , if acquired in sub-Sahara African countries, is usually resistant to chloroquine.
If you are in a acknowledged Malaria area, and you do have to go outside make sure that your uncovered skin is covered by a layer of clothing and dodge exposure to mosquitoes during the early morning and early evening hours, that is the hours of dusk and dawn when they are the most lively. Smear insect repellent to the exposed skin and make sure you use a good quality mosquito repellent.
In addition, for safeguards in the home against being bitten by mosquitoes, use mosquito nets above the beds and screen all windows and doors. Remember you are up against the deadliest killer known to man.
Author Resource:
Sister Ann is a vetaran registered nurse from South Africa with first hand experience in Malaria cases and is sponsored by Peachtree ink.Peachtree Ink is the best place online for " target="_blank">http://www.usainktank.com/"> cheap ink for printer UsaInktank are the best online suppliers of http://www.usainktank.com/"> cheap printer inks
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