Mode of transmission
Inoculation by vector (insect bit)
Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through:
Organ transplant, Transfusion and Use of shared needles or syringes
Diagnosis
Blood examination
Antigen-Antibody test
Treatment
The recommended treatment for malaria is a combination of antimalarial medications that includes artemisinin.
Prevention
Mosquito nets, insect repellent, mosquito control and medications (Antimalarial drugs)
Complications
Seizure and Coma
Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery is an infection caused by any of the amoebae of the Entamoeba genus.
Causative agent
Entamoeba histolytica
Incubation period
2-4 weeks
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
Diagnosis
Stool examination
Transmission
Amoebiasis is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route, but it can also be transmitted indirectly through contact with dirty hands or objects as well as by anal-oral contact.
Treatment
Tissue disease: metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide, dehydroemetine, chloroquine,
Intestinal infection: diloxanide furoate, iodoquinoline
Prevention
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 10 seconds after using the toilet or changing a baby's diaper, and before handling food.
Clean bathrooms and toilets often; pay particular attention to toilet seats and taps.
Avoid sharing towels or face washers.
Avoid raw vegetables when in endemic areas, as they may have been fertilized using human feces.
Boil water or treat with iodine tablets.
Avoid eating street foods especially in public places where others are sharing sauces in one container
Complications
Complications may include;
Inflammation and ulceration of the colon with tissue death or perforation, which may result in Peritonitis.
Ascariasis
Ascariasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, which is a species of roundworm.
Causative agent
Ascaris lumbricoides
Signs and symptoms
Abdominal discomfort, Abdominal cramping, Abdominal swelling (especially in children), Fever, Coughing and/or wheezing, Nausea, Vomiting and Passing roundworms and their eggs in the stool
Diagnosis
Stool examination
Transmission
The source of infection is from objects which have been contaminated with fecal matter containing eggs. Ingestion of infective eggs from soil contaminated with human feces or contaminated vegetables and water is the primary route of infection.
Treatment
Medications that are used to kill roundworms are called ascaricides. Those recommended by the World Health Organization for ascariasis are: albendazole, mebendazole, levamisole and pyrantel pamoate.
Prevention
Prevention is by improved access to sanitation which includes the use of properly functioning and clean toilets by all community members as one important aspect. Hand washing with soap may be protective; however, there is no evidence it affects the severity of disease. Eliminating the use of untreated human faeces as fertilizer is also important.
Mycology
Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida.
Causative agent
Candida albican
Signs and symptoms
White patches or vaginal discharge, itchy
Transmission
Wearing tight cloths
Sexual intercourse
Treatment
Clotrimazole, nystatin, fluconazole etc.
Prevention
Wearing cotton underwear may help to reduce the risk of developing skin and vaginal yeast infections, along with not wearing wet clothes for long periods of time.
Oral hygiene can help prevent oral candidiasis when people have a weakened immune system.