Malaria Strikes Celebrities

This serious disease, most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics, is caused by a parasite that commonly inhabits a certain type of mosquito.

When a mosquito infected with this parasite feeds on a human, that person is at risk of contracting malaria. Once the malaria parasite has been introduced into a person’s bloodstream, the parasite travels to the liver where it may remain dormant for up to a year.

Symptoms of malaria, characterized by recurrent attacks, typically present within a few weeks after exposure, but parasites may lie dormant in the body for months or even years. Symptoms include:

• Shaking and chills
• High fever
• Profuse sweating
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Since the parasites that cause malaria are mostly found in tropic or sub-tropic climates, American malaria victims are often immigrants or travelers.

In recent years, some celebrity globetrotters have fallen victim to the disease. These famous faces include:

• George Clooney (actor)
• Anderson Cooper (journalist, newscaster)
• Jeremy Piven (actor)

If you plan to travel to a region where malaria is common, see your healthcare provider. Malaria-prevention medication is available. The same medication is used to treat those who have already contracted the disease.

For more about malaria, go to:

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/4/28/154924.shtml

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_stories/new_mosquito_malaria/2011/02/04/374472.html

https://www.newsmax.com/hostetter/malaria/2007/12/05/id/322319

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/20/115659.shtml

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_stories/malaria_meds_lupus_death/2010/01/25/311834.html

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/1/13/91254.shtml