What is malaria? Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected  Anopheles  mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the  Plasmodium  parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream. Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the  liver , where they mature. After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect  red blood cells . Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open. The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time. Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites can live. The  World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source states that, in 2016, there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries. In the United States, ...

Culled from Healthecareers Your radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury, using medical imaging techniques such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET), fusion imaging, and ultrasound. Because some of these imaging techniques involve the use of radiation, and require training to understand radiation safety and protection. Your radiologist has graduated from an accredited medical school, passed a licensing examination, and completed a residency of at least four years of unique postgraduate medical education in, among other topics: Radiation safety/protection Radiation effects on the human body Appropriate performance and interpretation of quality radiologic and medical imaging examinations The majority of radiologists also complete a fellowship — one to two additional years of specialized training in a particular subspecialty of radiology, such as brea...

Adapted from IndiaMart The  management of HIV/AIDS  normally includes the use of multiple  antiretroviral drugs  in an attempt to control  HIV infection . There are several classes of antiretroviral agents that act on different stages of the  HIV  life-cycle. The use of multiple drugs that act on different viral targets is known as  highly active antiretroviral therapy  ( HAART ). HAART decreases the patient's total burden of HIV, maintains function of the  immune system , and prevents  opportunistic infections  that often lead to death. [1]  HAART also prevents the transmission of HIV between serodiscordant same sex and opposite sex partners so long as the HIV-positive partner maintains an undetectable viral load. [2] Treatment has been so successful that in many parts of the world, HIV has become a chronic condition in which progression to  AIDS  is increasingly rare.  Anthony Fauci , head of the United St...

Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change. Culled from World Health Organization.

Adapted from Diabetes UK Diabetes types Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make. Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. There are a few different types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes  is an  autoimmune disease . The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the  pancreas , where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About  10 percent  of people with diabetes have this type. Type 2 diabetes  occurs when your body becomes resistant to  insulin , and sugar builds up in your blood. Prediabetes  occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type ...

Adapted from World Kidney Day What is hypertension? Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats. Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg. Culled from World Health Organization.