In this video, PCV Lauren Canton’s friend explains one of the reasons malaria is so problematic for people in Senegal: some people take over-the-counter medicines that simply mask the symptoms but don’t actually cure the disease. They think they’re better but then the symptoms return, and by then it can be too late.
This brings us to a related issue: even when people go to local health centers or hospitals and receive prescription medications, they too often fail to take the full course that is prescribed. For example, the drug might require that a malaria-infected person take four pills per day for four days. But if someone does not complete the dose — stops after three days, let’s say – the disease can strike back and be even more difficult to cure. This can also lead to evolving strains of malaria that become “drug-resistant.” These strains do not respond to treatment even with traditional drugs, which therefore makes the disease gravely difficult to treat.
Spread the word,
Adam Horowitz
Peace Corps Volunteer
The Gambia ‘07-’09, Senegal ‘09-Present
