Today is World Malaria Day
I have been amazed at the impact a single illness can have on a country. Here are the two biggest things that have changed my perception of malaria.
Poverty has been shown to affect an individual's understanding of malaria as well as their prevention and treatment options. I take for granted the conceptualization of illness that we in the western world have. And I take for granted our health education. Because poverty and education are interdependent factors many people in the third world have a limited understanding of malaria.
Malaria diagnosis is not effective. Although many individuals suffering from malaria never see a medical professional, those who do are often misdiagnosed. The absence of malaria testing kits (2$ for a onetime kit that can be administered by a nurse) means malaria is often over diagnosed (building drug immunity) and can be misdiagnosed (for something with the same symptoms). Diagnosis based on the symptoms (headache, nausea, fever) is inadequate but it is happening all too often.
3 comments:
There is a quicktest that is used circa late 2009/2010 even in the smaller health clinics en brousse. Similar to the HIV/AIDS quicktest it doesn't give completely accurate results. However, a new policy was put into place in approximately fall 2010 and certain malaria specific drugs can no longer be bought without prescription. Instead, if someone tests negative, the symptoms (fever, diarrhea, etc.) are treated as it is more likely the flu or Dengue Fever (almost exactly similar to Malaria, but presents a rash and is not lethal as long as symptoms are treated).
The Sheltering Wings clinic has an uses the quicktest technology so I'm very familiar with it. I wasn't aware of the new government policy regarding the tests, that's fabulous news. That being said...i don't know anyone that used the quicktest (outside of SW) so I question the impact of the legislation.
Post a Comment