Malaria: The Preventable and Treatable Disease

Malaria is a disease of the blood that is caused by a parasite transmitted from person to person by certain types of mosquitoes. Malaria symptoms, which appear about 9 to 14 days after the infectious mosquito bite, include fever, headache, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms. If drugs are not available for treatment or if the parasites are resistant to them, the infection can lead to coma, severe life-threatening anemia, and death by infecting and destroying red blood cells and by clogging the capillaries that carry blood to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs. Worldwide, malaria causes around 350 to 500 million illnesses and more than one million deaths annually.

Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa, where it kills an African child every 30 seconds. Many children who survive an episode of severe malaria may suffer from learning impairments or brain damage. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable to malaria, which, during pregnancy, is a major cause of mortality, low birth weight and maternal anemia. And while we know malaria is preventable, the lack of resources, coupled with a climate very hospitable to the deadliest strain of malaria, has made the disease a leading cause of death among African children.

In addition to the human toll malaria exacts, the economic and social impacts are also devastating: Sick children miss school, tourism suffers, and foreign investment is stifled. Annual economic loss in Africa due to malaria is estimated to be $12 billion, representing a crippling 1.3 percent annual loss in GDP growth in endemic countries. Malaria becomes a self-perpetuating problem, where the disease prevents the human and economic capital necessary to bring the disease under control. Moreover, malaria disproportionately affects the rural poor who can neither afford a bed net for prevention, nor access appropriate treatment when they fall sick.

http://www.malarianomore.org/malaria.php


Here in Rwanda they are carrying out an Indoor Residual Spraying program to kill mosquitoes which are inside, whether that will have the desired affect is still to be seen, but it is one of the strategies being employed, along with treated nets and better access to treatment. Full strategy doc here - http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/countries/rwanda_mop-fy07.pdf

In the meantime, until we have settled into our new home, Lon and I are still taking the Lariam aka Mefloquine

Side-effects

Mefloquine may have severe and permanent adverse side-effects. It is known to cause severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, nightmares, insomnia, seizures, peripheral motor-sensory neuropathy,^[2] vestibular (balance) damage and central nervous system problems. For a complete list of adverse physical and psychological effects — including suicidal ideation — see the most recent product information. Central nervous system events occur in up to 25% of people taking Lariam, such as dizziness, headache, insomnia, and vivid dreams.[5] In 2002 the word "suicide" was added to the official product label, though proof of causation has not been established.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mefloquine

Luckily, we both took this before when we travelled, and I have the most reaction out of the two of us, in that I often on Lariam night experience vivid dreams (also known as cheese dreams!). Once we have moved we will be stopping this drug as it's not something you want to take for three years, and relying on spraying and nets and clothing as prevention, and getting a blood test as soon as we feel rubbish.