Mosquitoes and Malaria
Did you know that male mosquitoes dine mostly on flower nectar? The pregnant
females are the ones that suck your blood, sometimes leaving deadly diseases
behind. (If you want to be free of mosquitoes, you could move to the North
or South Pole.)
Mosquito Bite Prevention
http://www.natureskills.com/mosquito_bite_prevention.html
For those in the more middling latitudes, this is a terrific guide to preventing
mosquito bites naturally. The author, Tamarack Song, is Director of the Teaching
Drum Outdoor School in Wisconsin. Mr. Song identifies sugary food as a lure
for mosquitoes, noting that sugar revs up the metabolism, resulting in body
heat that draws mosquito bites. His guide to bite prevention goes beyond diet,
including methods of location, movement, clothing, time of day, and natural "skin
slatherings."
Global Malaria Programme
http://malaria.who.int/
http://malaria.who.int/aboutus.html
The World Health Organization is fighting a global battle against malaria.
The main site is rich with content, but additionally, the "About Us" page
links to the Regional Offices, each of which maintains its own malaria data.
CDC Malaria Page
http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria/index.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria/biology/life_cycle.htm
After World War II, the Atlanta, Georgia Office of Malaria Control in War Areas
was succeeded by the Communicable Diseases Center (now the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention). Today, the CDC has a Malaria Hotline for Health Professionals.
Life Cycle of Plasmodium
http://www.who.int/tdr/diseases/malaria/lifecycle.htm
This is a sixty-second animation. It runs too quickly for full comprehension
the first time around, but a few viewings may make it easier to understand
the CDC Life Cycle Chart above. A Google Image search of "life cycle
of plasmodium" yields close to 50 more illustrations.
World Malarial Risk Chart
http://www.iamat.org/pdf/WorldMalariaRisk.pdf
How to Protect Yourself Against Malaria
http://www.iamat.org/pdf/ProtectYourself.pdf
This is a treasure-trove of risk data by country, along with malaria protection
information from the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers.
Maps of Malaria Risk Using Climate Data
http://www.mara.org.za/mapsdownload_bmp.htm
These particular maps are based on long-term climate data, not on actual malaria
incidence.
Have Health Concerns About Lariam Been Overstated?
http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/1008129.html
Discussions on this page includes topics such as, "Yes – Health
Concerns have been sensationalized," "No – Lariam's
side-effects have not been properly disclosed," and "A Returned
Volunteer looks at Lariam."
Here is a helpful guide to understanding
this page:
PC = Peace Corp;
PCV = Peace Corp Volunteer;
RPCV = Returning
Peace Corp Volunteer;
UPI = United Press International.
Herbal Treatment for Malaria
http://www.mercola.com/2004/dec/1/malaria_treatment.htm
Magnetic Fields May Destroy Malaria
http://www.mercola.com/2000/may/7/magnet_malaria.htm
University of Nevada, Reno Research Team Discovers Hormone That Causes
Malaria Mosquito to Urinate
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2005/08/25/university_of_nevada_reno_
research_team_discovers_hormone_
that_causes_malaria_mosquito_to_urinate.html
These links describe treatment using herbs and magnets, as well as a non-toxic
method of targeting the mosquito population (toxic only to mosquitoes, in any
case).
Traditional Herbal Medicines for Malaria
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/329/7475/1156
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7475/1156
Rapid Responses
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/329/7475/1156
Over 1200 plant species are used to treat malaria and fever. This interesting
survey by Merlin L Willcox and Gerard Bodeker appeared in the British
Medical Journal in November 2004. The full text article is available on the Web in
both PDF and HTML formats. Note the "Rapid Responses" from readers,
some of whom raise thorny political issues regarding the effectiveness of lower-cost
herbs and whether further research in this area will "create a second-class
medicine for those who can't afford otherwise." One respondent
writes, "Since malaria is one of the world's leading causes of
mortality, anti-malarials are potentially one of the biggest money spinners
on the planet. It is therefore greatly in the interests of those who profit
out of antimalarial drugs to have the development of possible alternatives
condemned by the highest level of professional scientist who may be willing
to do so."
International Travel and Immunizations
International
Travel and Health
http://www.who.int/ith/en/
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, this publication of the World Health Organization
shares the health risks and the vaccination requirements around the world.
The document is close to 200 pages but divided into easily accessible chapters
in PDF format. A printed edition is published every two years, but the website
is updated more frequently.
Pro- and Anti-Vaccination Resources on the Web
TLDP readers may be interested in the February/March 2003 Web Page Potpourri
column which focuses on vaccinations. It is available on the Web in three
places:
http://www.townsendletter.com/FebMar_2003/webpotpourri0203.htm
http://www.margieroswell.com/column.php?id=3
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2003_Feb-March/ai_97994353
Think Twice: Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.thinktwice.com/faq.htm#10
The FAQ at this previously covered site, for instance, is helpful, noting that
we have the legal right to reject "mandatory" vaccines, even for
foreign travel.
Immunizations & Immigration
http://home.san.rr.com/via/TRAVEL/vaccine%20waiver.htm
http://techlawreporter.com/toa/codes/usc/titles/TITLE08/8USC1182.html
It appears that the following legal standard applies to non-US citizens who
want to enter the United States: Vaccination requirements may be waived "under
such circumstances as the Attorney General provides by regulation, with respect
to whom the requirement of such a vaccination would be contrary to the alien's
religious beliefs or moral convictions." I have not seen similar legal
language on Americans traveling to other countries, and I welcome readers' research
on this issue.
Online Class on the Dangers of Vaccination
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccineclass.htm
Taught by Sheri Nakken, RN, MA, Classical Homeopath.
Health Information for International Travel
http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybBrowseO.asp
Travelers' Health
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm
How to Travel and Stay Healthy
http://www.itg.be/itg/Uploads/MedServ/egezond.pdf
This is standard mainstream medical guidance on tropical diseases, from the
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp.
International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers
http://www.iamat.org/
http://www.iamat.org/pdf/WorldImmunization.pdf
In addition to the malaria information mentioned above, this organization also
makes available a World Immunization Chart. Membership is free.
ProMED-mail
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/promed/f?p=2400:1000
International Society for Infectious Diseases maintains ProMED-mail, the Program
for Monitoring Emerging Diseases.
Fit for Travel
http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/
Travel health information from Scotland's National Health Service (NHS).
Microscopy
Molecular Expressions: Darkfield
Microscopy
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/darkfieldindex.html
Interactive Java Tutorials - Darkfield Microscopy
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/darkfieldjava.html
Interactive Java Tutorials - Specialized Microscopy Techniques
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/technojava.html
Microscopic Photographs of Pharmaceutical Drugs
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/pharmaceuticals/
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/pharmaceuticals/pages/quinine.html
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/pharmaceuticals/pages/chloroquine.html
Visiting Molecular Expressions is like entering a world of museums, carnivals,
and science labs all in one. There is a primer on many kinds of microscopy,
including the darkfield type. There are some terrific interactive tutorials.
There are galleries of colorful microscopic photographs, including artful images
of Quinine and Chloroquine, two antimalarial drugs. If you click on the microscope
photo in the upper left, you will find yourself in the museum. Keep clicking,
and you will see four centuries of microscopy.
A One-Dollar Compound Microscope
http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/ucomp1/ucomp1.htm
I admit I haven't tried it, but it looks like a fun project to make a
low-cost microscope that magnifies up to 75 times.
Malaria Light Microscopy: Creating a Culture of Quality
http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/BA269B30-65EC-4A64-9784-FCE1787E509C/0/malaria_light_microscopy.pdf
The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has produced an excellent 73-page
guide to improving competency and performance of microscopists, identifying
which skills are needed by villages, health care facilities, and nations.
Parasites and Worms
Are You Clean Inside? Victims
of a Toxic Colon
http://www.drnatura.com/index.html
All the testimonials on this site certainly are intriguing. I don't normally
include commercial sites in this column, but how could I not share comments
such as, "I turned and looked in the toilet and to my surprise their
[sic] were five worms," and "My energy went through the roof! I
lost 18 lbs and a round worm." A two-month supply of the Colonix Program,
including recommended probiotics and anti-parasite support, costs a little
more than $150.
Natural Treatments for Parasites
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsitoq/a/Parasites.htm
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsitoq/a/ParasitePrimer.htm
If you can get past the sponsored links and marketing that clogs about.com
these days, you'll find a terrific guide in Cathy Wong, ND.
Raw Garlic for Parasites and Viral Infections
http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/17/garlic_infections.htm
A clunky translation from a German article, this still imparts useful information.
I generally use raw garlic in salad dressings and pesto.
Beyond Swollen Limbs, a Disease's Hidden
Agony
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/world/americas/09lymph.html
Dose of Tenacity Wears Down an Ancient Horror
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/26/international/africa/26worm.html
New York Times Video
http://video.on.nytimes.com/
The New York Times did a powerful series in April on "Diseases on the
Brink," including cover stories on Guinea Worm and Lymphatic Filariasis.
By the time you read this, the sites with video content might not be freely
available on the Internet. It's worth looking, though, for these powerful
videos: "Diseases on the Brink: Guinea Worm"; "A Disease's
Hidden Agony"; and "Jimmy Carter: Eradicating Trachoma." You
should be able to read the articles at any library.
New York Times "On the Brink" Series
Examines Control, Eradication
http://www.cartercenter.org/doc2321.htm
The Carter Center Health Programs
http://www.cartercenter.org/healthprograms/healthpgm.htm
The Carter Center may provide another route to The
New York Times content.
The site also contains information on the Center's work to end the suffering
from these terrible diseases. With programs to protect the water supply, cases
of Guinea worm disease have been reduced worldwide by more than 99.5%, from
an estimated 3.5 million cases in 1986 to approximately 11,500 cases in 2005.
Guinea Worm, the Carter Center notes, is the first disease slated to be overcome
without a vaccine or treatment.
Marjorie Roswell
mroswell@gmail.com |
