Glossary of Malaria related terms

A

Anopheles mosquito - The female of this species of mosquito carries malaria from person to person via infected blood.

Antimalarial - A type of medicine taken to prevent or cure malaria. Such medicine either inhibits or destroys malaria parasites.

C

Chemophylactic drug - Medicine taken before and after visiting a malarious area, designed to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Contract - Catch (specifically to catch a disease).

D

DEET diethyltoluamide - Chemical found in insect repellent to deter insects from biting.

DVT - Deep vein thrombosis. This is a blood clot which forms in the deep veins of the body, usually in the leg.

Dormant - Inactive.

H

Hepatitis A - Very contagious disease that results in inflammation of the liver, usually caught by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by infected sewage. There is a vaccine to prevent this disease.

Hepatitis B - This disease is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine and semen. A vaccine is available to prevent this disease.

M

Malarious area - Area where you are at risk from malaria.

P

Parasite - An organism which obtains food and shelter from another organism.

Plasmodium - A type of parasite that causes malaria.

T

Typhoid - Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. It is usually carried via water or by food contaminated with sewage. An injected vaccine will give you protection for three years.

V

Vaccination - Process (usually injection) by which you can become immune from the risk of developing a particular disease, even if you are exposed to it.