Malaria Essay

Document Type:Research Paper

Subject Area:Biology

Document 1

However, the first human incident was realized in Ancient China. The next recorded case is after a century in Ancient Egypt where their leaders are believed to have eaten garlic to protect them from infection of the disease noting that even Cleopatra slept under a net. Over the past decade, there has been progressing the fight and prevention of the disease. Thus 7 million lives have been saved globally. However, every two minutes today, a child dies of Malaria. vivax which is the most widespread form, P. Ovalethat is not very common, and P. falciparum that is the most fatal and has quick, severe symptoms. The worst form caused by Plasmodium falciparum has the varied number of symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, weakness, muscular aching, headache, chills, and coughs.

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Over time the patient experiences organ failure, pulmonary oedema, acute renal failure, circulatory collapse and convulsion followed by falling into a coma and finally the loss of life. Therefore, because the malaria parasite reproduces asexually, it causes simultaneous chronic infection all over the body. A certain group of parasites alternatively grow into non-dividing gametocytes. Scientist study how malaria switches into gametocyte production and probably find out if it could help prevent malaria The process of development of the parasites is facilitated by a switch scientists say. The research shows that the parasite reproduces by consuming lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to regenerate them. As the levels of LPC decrease in the body and the infections persist strongly the patient becomes weaker as the protozoan keeps regenerating.

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Additionally, by the 1970’s the Chinese scientist had begun isolating sweet wormwood. The concoction is a herb extracted from Artemisia annua that have been known as Qinghao to the Chinese for 2000 years. The initial test was done on mice, and the treatment was proved to be as effective as chloroquine and quinine when eradicating the parasite. By 1979 it was being tested on human beings. However, like many other drug treatments of malaria its potency on the parasite decreased and the parasite has seemingly begun to build a resistance. In many countries around the world, malaria is an epidemic that affects most lives. Travellers are advised to check brief history and current status of the country they intend to visit. This will enable them to take preventative drugs and measures.

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