Malaria


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Malaria

Malaria: This disease is caused by protozoans of the genus Plasmodium (species: vivax, ovale, falciparum, and malaria). These parasites grow and multiply in the liver and the RBCs of man. They also grow in the gut of the female Anopheles mosquito, which is the vector. The protozoans enter our bloodstream when a female mosquito carrying them bites us.

Signs and Symptoms: Malaria is characterized by periodic attacks of shivering followed by high fever. Headache and muscular pains, anaemia and enlarged spleen are other symptoms.

Control: A person suffering from malaria is given quinine, a drug which has been in use since long. It is extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree. A substance called arteether extracted from another plant is also an antimalarial drug.

Prevention: The occurrence of malaria can be prevented in two ways. First, by breaking contact between Anopheles mosquitoes and human beings, and second, by not allowing the mosquitoes to breed. Contact can be broken by using mosquito nets, mosquito repellents, etc. And the breeding of mosquitoes can be prevented by eliminating breeding places and by killing the eggs, larvae and adults with the help of chemicals or biological agents. Common chemical methods of killing mosquitoes and their larvae have been spraying insecticides (e.g., DDT) in powder or liquid form or as fumes (fumigation), and spraying kerosene over stagnant water.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

Which type of pathogen is an organism that lives off its host and causes malaria?

Right Option : D
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Question : 2

A disease for which vaccination is not available is ___________________

Right Option : A
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Question : 3

Infective stage of malaria is _________________

Right Option : B
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Explanation
 
 
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