Sunday, April 6, 2014

Malaria, Ebola, and the Bubonic Plague


People living in the West hear horror stories about plagues, parasites, and diseases that occur in third world countries.  We, in the West, have largely irradiated many of the worlds most horrific diseases and as a result are ignorant of what they are, how they are transmitted, and how they affect the human body.  Even most doctors in the West are ignorant of such things because of not having to treat them.  They read about these sicknesses in medical school, but have never actually seen a person suffering from them nor have they had to treat them.  My doctor here in Zambia sure had a lot to say about that - don’t get her started!  

When we moved to Zambia we were aware that when living in Africa you are pretty much guaranteed to get malaria.... many times.   Mentally we were prepared.  We educated ourselves on all the precautions we could take and we took them.  But we were right, living here means malaria is inevitable.  

Of course, malaria is unpleasant and slows us down for ministry so when we started contracting it our first reaction was to request prayer from you - our wonderful and loving supporters.  However, we quickly learned that when we asked for prayer most people over reacted, thinking we were close to death.  Many were asking if we had it once would we be immune in the future, or if we would build immunity to it.  In their concern, many reacted with comments that gave us the impression that they thought we were being irresponsible with our health and not taking all the precautions we could.  This made us aware that there is a huge misconception about what malaria is, how it is contracted, and how it is treated. So I would like to take this opportunity to provide a quick education on malaria and how it affects both our family and ministry.  This will enable you to pray without worry and be encouraging when you hear of our most recent health challenges. 

Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasite.  It is not a virus or bacteria.  When I think of a parasite I usually think of tape worms and disgusting stuff like that.  Bleck!  This parasite is transmitted when you are bitten by a mosquito.  It is not contagious and can not be spread any other way.  Let me explain how this happens.  

As you know, Africa has lots of mosquitos.  Especially in the rainy season (November-April).  And, as you know mosquitos are a parasite themselves.  Well, there is only one  kind of mosquito that transmits malaria to its host.  The female Anopheles mosquito.  When you are bitten by the female Anopheles mosquito it transmits the malaria from it’s saliva into your blood stream.  The malaria parasite travels through your blood stream to your liver where it matures and reproduces.  As the malaria matures and reproduces your body cycles through symptoms.  These symptoms usually occur between 8-25 days after infection.  At the beginning you feel like you have a cold, or the flu.  But as the parasite matures your symptoms become more severe.  Here is a list of common symptoms: headache, fever, shivering, joint pain, vomiting, anemia, and jaundice.  Additional symptoms are sneezing, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue.  Take the flu and multiply it by 20 and then you will have an idea.  The sooner we get tested and recognize when we have malaria and get treatment the less severe the symptoms are.  Early detection is key.  However, the problem is that the early symptoms can be mistaken for a cold, allergies, or even a sinus infection.

So, what happens when someone in your family shows symptoms of malaria?  The only way to test for malaria is through the blood.  When one of us starts exhibiting symptoms we immediately take them to our doctor.  The lab tech pricks our thumb and rubs some of our blood on a glass slide.  He then heats the slide to dry the blood a bit and examines it under the microscope.  Through this examination he is able to see the evidence of malaria in our blood.  There is a home test that we use when we are in the bush and have no medical facilities within a 3.5 hour drive.  We have to prick our finger and put the blood on a litmus test strip that reveals if  our bodies are producing the antibodies used to fight malaria.  We immediately start taking medications to kill the malaria parasite along with extra vitamins and iron supplements to rebuild our strength.  We go home, get comfy and rest for a few days until the worst of the symptoms have passed.  Usually we follow up with an antibiotic (doxicyclene) .  Even when the malaria has been killed it takes some time for our bodies to regain strength.  A couple side effects of the malaria are anemia and hypoglycemia.  It takes time to rebuild our red blood cells and blood sugar. So for a while we are weak and tired.  Yes, it is true that if untreated malaria can lead to death, but so can pneumonia and the flu if you want to think of it that way.  

But can’t something be done to prevent your family from getting malaria?!!  Well... yes and no.  Please let me assure you that our family takes every precaution we possibly can, but nothing is 100% effective in preventing malaria infection.  The first and most obvious precaution is to limit exposure to mosquitos.  Mosquitos come out in force at dawn and twilight.  When we are in town at our house we stay inside at those times.  When we are in the bush and we must be outside everyone gets covered in bug repellant and long pants and long sleeves (despite hot temperatures).  Any open windows in our house have screens to keep the mosquitos out.  I have even planted mosquito repelling plants around our house to help.  Every person in our family sleeps with a mosquito net over our beds every night.  There are some medications that can be taken to help in preventing malaria, but because there are many different strains of malaria none of them are 100% effective in prevention.  Rainy season is the worst time of the year for malaria.  Our doctors who have been here in Zambia for over 30 years have encouraged us to only use these preventatives during rainy season because these medications have side effects that can cause long term problems as well.  So, every person in our family takes medication once a week to help with prevention.  Even so, we can (and do at times) still get malaria.  We have discussed prevention with our doctor and he agrees that we have taken every and all precautions we can.  The only thing we can do to prevent malaria 100% of the time is to leave Africa and move back to America, which will not happen unless the Lord makes it clear that is His will.  

Even with all of this information the most important thing to remember is that our lives are in the hands of the Lord.  They are not our own.  God has this amazing and perfect plan for our family, His church, and all mankind.  We live on a sin cursed earth with sickness and disease.  This can not be avoided.  God never ever promised us a safe, easy life.  He did promise us trials, persecution, and difficulties.  Jesus told us to count the cost, take up our cross and follow Him.  This life we are living now is a vapor.  And in this vapor of a life what is most important?  The message of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  And what sacrifice is too great for us to pay to bring this message to all people?  There isn’t one.  We can not thank you enough for your love, prayers, support and encouragement.  Thank you for partnering with us to enable us to follow God’s will for our family.  He is taking very good care of us.  Nothing happens outside His will.  Sickness and death come to everyone.  But in the end God is always good, just, and faithful.  As I am writing this I am laying in bed recovering from malaria.  I am tired, I feel awful, and I’m ready to be healthy again.  And I will be.  And we will keep on serving God and sharing His love and salvation with those around us.  Like Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain that which he can not lose.”

So, please know that our family is fine!  We love living in Zambia. We are so blessed to be here.  God is taking very good care of us, we have good doctors, and we love our life. Please keep up the love, prayers, and encouragement.  But now when you hear that one of us has malaria you will know a bit more of what we are experiencing and no longer have to worry or be concerned.  God has it all under control.  

Oh, and as far as Ebola and the Bubonic Plague...  They make malaria look like a common cold in comparison.  As for the latest outbreak of Ebola, it is on the other side of the continent from us.  Just look at your world map and you will see we are far from there (but we have friends in some of those countries you can be praying for).  I definitely don’t want either of those diseases!  I’ll happily take malaria instead.  It’s all about perspective!
- Mandy