Infectious Disease Essay on Malaria

Malaria is an infectious disease affecting most of the third world. It is estimated that between half and two million people die every year because of malaria. The real figures are hard to keep track of because most malaria caused deaths occur in places that might not be able to keep track of such data. About three billion people live in malaria risk areas.

Malaria spreads through the bite of a malaria-infected anopheles mosquito, however on the contrary to common belief only female mosquitos bite. The protozoan Plasmodium species causes malaria. There are four sub specie of the disease; Plasmodium Wax, Plasmodium Oval, Plasmodium Malariae and Plasmodium falciparum. The Plasmodium falciparum specie is the most dangerous and is responsible for most of the malaria related deaths.

Areas with malaria infected mosquitos. Photo provided by the CDC.

Once infected with malaria it will start to bread small parasites that will attack your liver. Once the liver cells become so swollen they will burst and the parasite will attack your blood stream especially the hemoglobin in your red blood cells.

Malaria will spread through mosquito bites. The female mosquito either lays infected eggs into the victim. "Safe" mosquito bites can infect people if it bites an infected person, sucks some of their blood then bite someone else. It has also been reported to spread through any blood contact such as dirty needles, blood transfusion even mother to child. In places where malaria is very common people can become immune to it.

The incubation period of the disease in anywhere from a week to a few months it is depending on the strand of the parasite. The symptoms can be headaches, chills, slight diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Malaria was eradicated from the USA in the 50s. There is a known cure for malaria, but only