Protozoa
Protozoa is a microscopic acellular animalcules existing singly or in colonies, without tissue and organs, having one or more nuclei.
Characteristics of Protozoa
- They are small, usually microscopic, can not be seen without a microscope.
- The body is unicellular (without tissue and organs).
- There are about 50,000 known species of Phylum Protozoa.
- They are the simplest and primitive of all animals.
- Body symmetry either bilateral or radial or spherical.
Diseases Caused by Protozoa
Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum):
Incubation Period: About 3 weeks
Mode of Transmission: Female Anopheles
mosquito acts as a carrier.
Symptoms
- Cold stage characterized by sudden onset of fever
- During the hot stage, the body temperature may rise to 41°C or 106°F.
- Sweating stage characterized by profuse sweating and lowering of body temperature
Preventive Measures
- Population of mosquitoes should be
reduced or eliminated - Mosquito bites should be prevented by
using mosquito nets, applying mosquito
repellents to the body - Water boiled with leaves and inflorescence of neem should be used for drinking
Amoebic dysentery or Amoebiasis
Incubation Period: About 1 week
Mode of Transmission: Food and water
contaminated by flies, faeces of an infected person
Symptoms
- Diarrhoea or watery motions, containing mucus or blood and pain in the abdomen
- Intestinal lining is destructed completely
- Constipation alternating with diarrhoea
- Stomach convulsion
Preventive Measures
- Food should be kept covered properly to avoid contamination by flies and dust
carrying cysts - Avoid eating spicy and fried food
- Population of flies should be controlled or eliminated
- Clean, boiled and cooled water should be used for drinking
Sleeping sickness
Incubation Period: From 3 days to 3 weeks
Mode of Transmission: Bite of Tsetse fly
Symptoms
- Swollen, red, painful nodule at the site of the fly bite
- Fever, headache, itchiness and joint pain in the first phase
- Mood changes and anxiety
- Insomnia at night
Preventive Measures
- Insect control measures can help prevent the spread of sleeping sickness
- Administration of drugs such as melarsoprol, pentamidine, suramin
Related posts you may read
- Diseases Caused by Bacteria
- Diseases Caused by Virus
- Diseases Caused by Parasitic Worms
- Hepatitis ~ Causes & Symptoms
- What is AIDS…?
Follow us