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Malaria, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Tuberculosis

January/February 2008 ISSN-1059-6518  Volume 21 Number 1

THE BIG THREE

 

Malaria

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

with a focus in this issue of the WMN on Tuberculosis

by Frank Hubbell, DO

We live in a world where poverty, pollution, and politics seem to rule the day, but the reality is that these are only part of the problem. One of the largest problems that confronts mankind on a daily basis is that of infectious disease, and the billions of lives affected by this almost invisible terror. In the world of infectious disease, the big three that account for much of the mortality and morbidity around the planet are malaria, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

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Malaria

Malaria—who cares and why is it being discussed in the Wilderness Medicine Newsletter? Why, simply because we care.  Whether you are an international traveler, a professional ecotourism guide, or if you potentially do disaster relief work, then if nothing else, you need to understand how to minimize the risk that you could contract malaria.

Malaria is one of the most significant diseases in the world today. It also has a very special place in history, as it has influenced wars and the outcome of wars, population densities, and has forced unique human adaptations to malaria, such as Sickle Cell. Its influence can be felt yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Approximately 6 billion people share the planet Earth, and of those, greater than 2 billion, or 40% of the worldwide population, are at risk for getting malaria. It is estimated that there are at least 500 million new cases of malaria each year with about 2.5 million deaths.

 

July/August 2005   ISSN-1059-6518   Volume 18, Number 4

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