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A.) Mostly whenever a professor introduces a topic about malaria it's interesting because you can explain genetic diseases. And how alleles work, how a disease can be inherited, like sickle cell anemia. But the most interesting part, this time was researching about the social, economic, origin, spread, and medical advancements. For example, how different each culture treats and reacts to an outbreak of malaria. Because in Africa, it is a very virulent disease, but maybe here in America the some parts of the public treats it as a seasonal flu.

B.) But what surprised be most this time was reading about the estimated number of deaths attributed to malaria. By itself being responsible for more deaths than any other disease in history, and if you add sickle cell anemia well the number just increases.

C.) I would have liked to discussed or had a padlet discussion about comparing to different regions about our chosen disease. For example, directly comparing how the difference in cultures treats the disease, or how treating the disease differs. " Western vs. Eastern medicine" or something along the lines.

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Is a disease cause by a PROTOZOAN PARASITE ; Genus=Plasmodium ; Can infect many species reptiles, birds, and various mammals ; For this discussion it is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes

Is most prevalent in hot humid environments (tropics)

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A.--Malaria is believed to have originated in Africa and has been a prevalent disease for thousands of years. But the first ever recorded account of malaria was in ancient Chinese medical texts. But it also appears in other ancient texts like the Greeks and Romans. Now, sickle cell anemia has been present for almost as long as malaria. The first recorded account for it wasn't recorded until 1910 by James B. Herrick. But the first evidence of the disease was found in a 7,000-year-old skeleton in India with showed signs of sickle cell anemia. But everything comes back to its roots, Africa is believed to be the birthplace of malaria and sickle cell anemia.
B.--The suspected infectious agent are the plasmodium parasites. Five species of plasmodium, falciparum, vivax, malariae, ovale, and knowlesi.
C.--Malaria is an infectious disease, that is transmitted to humans through the intermediate female mosquito species. And it is considered an emerging and re-emerging infectious disease. An infectious disease is a disease caused by the invasion and multiplication of any pathogen within a host organism. And with that in mind sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the genes that encode hemoglobin(red blood cells) to take a different shape. And if ever infected can be readily disposed of or denatured.

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A.) Malaria is primarily found in subtropical regions of the world. Saharan-Africa, Southeast and Central Asia, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Caribbean.

B.) Malaria has existed in humans for thousands of years, although its evolution and spread were poorly documented. As a result of climate, land use, and local mosquito populations can vary from region to region. But what scientists believe is that the disease first emerged in Africa.

C.) It is difficult to estimate the total number of deaths from malaria throughout history. But in 2019 according to the World Health Organization, there were an estimated 229 million cases and 558,000 deaths. The most affected areas with low income suffer the most deaths.

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A.) Malaria is a very virulent disease, the severity can vary depending on specific species of plasmodium parasite and can affect the individual differently. And on the availability of medical treatment. But what is most telling about how virulent malaria is creating a genetic disorder through generations of natural selection. Malaria created a selectivity for people with mutated genes that changed the shape of red blood cells. So, these cells can automatically degrade once infected with malaria. This mutation is called Sickle cell anemia and it is caused by a mutation in the HBB gene.

B.) It is believed that malaria has become more and more virulent over time. But the drop in infection and death rates have dropped because of the advancement in prevention and availability of effective medicine. But its high virulence is attributed to becoming drug-resistant, and changes in mosquito behavior that favor procreating virulent strains of falciparum species.

C. Virulence is used to describe the ability of any pathogen to cause harm to its host. It is used to measure how severe and intense a disease is. The more damage it causes the more likely it is to be considered more virulent. There is also an exchange between virulence and transmissibility.

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A.) Malaria has been an ongoing effort medical professionals and communities have been working to combat malaria. Through vector control, diagnosis, research, and education. The real challenge is sickle cell anemia, being a recessive genetic disease people are affected differently. Some inherit a homozygous and some a heterozygous gene. Where the homozygous individuals are the ones who are afflicted with the most severe symptoms.

B.) Medical procedures have been designed and implemented to relieve people with sickle cell anemia. These practices include blood transfusions dating back to the 1940s blood transfusions were conducted to manage severe anemia. Disease-modifying therapies like stem cell transplantation and improved diagnosis by genetic panel screening by looking at the genetic makeup of each patient.

C.) New technologies implemented today include gene editing, NGS sequencing, wearable monitors, and point-of-care testing. Gene editing is used to correct to some degree any underlying mutation that causes sickle cell anemia. NGS sequencing is used to identify and analyze the mutations an individual is afflicted with, for example, specific expression patterns from patient to patient. Wearable monitors help patients with sickle cell anemia to monitor specific physiological parameters. And point-of-care testing is diagnostic testing that is performed in a clinical setting.

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A.) The handling of malaria by government and other leadership bodies, vary widely depending on the country. For example, some countries take a more active role in treating malaria. These efforts focus more on preventive measures of transmission of the disease. Along with treatments and developing vaccines, but in countries with lower resources preventive measures take the cake. However for sickle cell anemia spreading awareness is the best approach. Which only then can be used to diagnose and treat individuals with the disease.

B.) In recent years there has been significant progress in developing  vaccine against malaria. Bed nets treated with insecticide to prevent transmission in rural regions. For sickle cell anemia, there have been more successful treatments in developed countries, like gene editing, bone marrow transplants, more recently with cheaper access to technology for remote consultations for individuals in more rural regions.

C.) Leading governments and could help by funding an initiative to finish developing a vaccine against malaria. And we can learn a lot of how infectious diseases affect the evolution of life on earth. For sickle cell anemia increasing awareness seems to best use of resources in treating the disease. But like any other field research and development of new technology or treatments can benefit humanity.

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A & B.) Both malaria and sickle cell anemia have had significant social, economic, and physical effects. For example in many regions were malaria is very prevalent is has given a significant economic impact that has affected many communities, by losing productivity, decreased population and increased costs. Such has been the affect of malaria that the cost in losses can't be measured by professionals. Another social effect is the disruption of communities where there exists conflicts of discrimination for any who has been afflicted with the disease. Also gender disparities because women are disproportionately affect by malaria.
Sickle cell anemia has its own negative effects on a societal level. Again, like malaria sickle cell anemia patients encounter stigma and discrimination, like exclusion. But more importantly in this day and age psychosocial impacts, like depression and anxiety. Because of what it means having sickle cell anemia today. Expensive treatments, misinformation, lack of understanding, and even some physiological impairments.
Which leads to my next point there have been various improvements by encouraging mosquito nets, environmental management, and increasing awareness. Now, I mentioned the mosquito nets because they carry a "sick" connotation which in some cultures can exclude you from the community.

C.) Society has learned some of the physical effects of these diseases. I say this in the sense only family members, patients, and healthcare professionals in most part know what it means to be afflicted with sickle cell anemia. But in malaria there have been major improvements as a society in learning about the physical effects of the disease.