Malaria, HIV and tuberculosis

What this chapter teaches

Malaria is a protist carried by female Anopheles mosquitoes, so nets, less standing water and repellent prevent it, and a fever in a malaria area needs a health worker quickly. HIV is a virus passed by blood and some body fluids, not by touch, food or insects, and treatment keeps people healthy and, once the virus cannot be found in a test, stops it passing in sex. Tuberculosis is a bacterium that spreads by coughs and needs a long course of antibiotics, taken to the end.

Three questions to ask

There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.

1. How does a bed net protect against malaria?
2. Can you name two ways HIV does spread and two ways it does not?
3. Why is tuberculosis treatment taken for months, even when the person feels well?

After the chapter, the learner can

• Describe how malaria spreads and how to prevent it
• Explain how HIV spreads and how treatment helps
• Explain how tuberculosis spreads and is treated