Malaria

Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.

How is malaria transmitted?

The life cycle of the parasite is complicated and involves two hosts, humans and Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is transmitted to humans when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects the malaria parasites (sporozoites) into the blood. Sporozoites travel through the bloodstream to the liver, mature, and eventually infect the human red blood cells. While in red blood cells, the parasites again develop until a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected human and ingests human red blood cells containing the parasites. Then the parasites reach the Anopheles mosquito's stomach and eventually invade the mosquito salivary glands. When an Anopheles mosquito bites a human, these sporozoites complete and repeat the complex Plasmodium life cycle. P. ovale and P. vivax can further complicate the cycle by producing dormant stages (hypnozoites) that may not develop for weeks to years.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms characteristic of malaria include flu-like illness with fever, chills, muscle aches, and headache. Some patients develop nausea, vomiting, cough, and diarrhea. Cycles of chills, fever, and sweating that repeat every one, two, or three days are typical. There can sometimes be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and yellowing (jaundice) of the skin and whites of the eyes due to destruction of red blood cells and liver cells. People with severe P. falciparum malaria can develop bleeding problems, shock, liver or kidney failure, central nervous system problems, coma, and can die from the infection or its complications. Cerebral malaria (coma, or altered mental status or seizures) can occur with severe P. falciparum infection. It is lethal if not treated quickly; even with treatment, about 15%-20% die.

Syphilis:

Syphilis:

     A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum.

                  Syphilis is a major health problem. About 12 million new cases of syphilis occur every year. More than 90% of them are in developing nations where congenital syphilis remains a leading cause of stillbirths and newborn deaths. In North America and Western Europe, syphilis is disproportionately common and rising among men who have sex with men and among persons who use cocaine or other illicit drugs. 


There are three stages of syphilis:

• The first (primary) stage (1-5 weeks): This involves the formation of the chancre,a classic painless ulcer of syphilis. At this stage, syphilis is highly contagious.

• The second (secondary) stage (4-6 weeks): However, 25 percent of cases will proceed to the secondary stage of syphilis.

                    This phase can include hair loss; a sore throat; white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina; fever; headaches; and a skin rash. There can be lesions on the genitals that look like genital warts, but are caused by spirochetes rather than the wart virus. These wart-like lesions, as well as the skin rash, are highly contagious. The rash can occur on the palms of the hands, and the infection can be transmitted by casual contact.

• The third (tertiary) stage: This final stage of the disease involves the brain and heart, and is usually no longer contagious. At this point, however, the infection can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death.

Diagnosis :
                   Is by following blood tests

• Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
• Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test.
• Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed (FTA-ABS) test.

Treatment :                   Syphilis is treated with penicillin, administered by injection. 
Other antibiotics can be used for patients allergic to penicillin.

A small percentage of patients do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. Therefore, it is important that patients have periodic repeat blood tests to make sure that the infectious agent has been completely destroyed and there is no further evidence of the disease.

In all stages of syphilis, proper treatment will cure the disease, but in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed.

Prevention of Syphilis:

Patients with infectious syphilis should abstain from sexual activity until rendered noninfectious by antibiotic therapy.

Talk openly with your partner about STDs, HIV, and hepatitis B infection, and the use of contraception. All sexually active persons should consider using latex condoms to prevent STDs and HIV infection, even if they are using another form of contraception.

Latex condoms used consistently and correctly are an effective means for preventing disease (and pregnancy). Since latent condoms protect covered parts only, the exposed parts should be washed with soap and water as soon after contact as possible. This applies to men and women.