Skin Cancer, Malaria, and the Hanta Virus are serious health risks of global warming

Malaria
Malaria is a disease that will increase during global warming. It is one of the earliest recorded human diseases, and is spread by the bite of a female mosquito. Mosquitoes breed in warm, wet places. With the increase of rain and warmth during global warming, the population of mosquitoes will increase, making the risk of getting this disease also increase. Malaria means "bad air" in Italian referring to the time when people thought that it was caused by gases around areas where mosquitoes thrive.

When you are bitten by a infected mosquito, it sends parasites into your bloodstream. These parasites keep reproducing, making the disease more devastating. Symptoms are fever and chills that come and go, headache, weakness, and an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen could rupture, or require surgery to remove. People can live without a spleen, but not having one increases the risk of infections or other problems.

Hanta Virus
The Hanta Virus is a deadly respiratory disease carried by wild rodents. With Global Warming, the population of rodents will soar because there will be long periods of drought followed by warm, early spring, and rodents thrive in these climate conditions.

If you come in contact with a rodent or if you breathe air that contains their waste you could get the virus. Dogs and cats are not known to carry the Hanta Virus. People most likely to get it are people who work in fields, or install and fix things in basements or attics where rodents can nest.

Some symptoms may be flu-like symptoms with fever and chills, you may have a dry cough, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You could experience fatigue and have a hard time breathing because your lungs could fill with fluid. If you have these symptoms please see a doctor right away.

Although there is some cure in Asia for their type of virus, in the United States ours is more devastating and we have treatments that enable survival; but only if you seek treatment immediately.

For more information go to these resources: Montana State University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the main cancer concerns of the world when Global Warming hits. The skin cancer people get most is melanoma. Though melanoma is the most common, it is also the most curable and and can even be prevented. Early discovery is very important. If you have moles that are bothering you or are doing weird things such as changing size, shape, color, or if they bleed constantly, you should consult a doctor.
Suntan CartoonTo prevent skin cancer you should wear sunscreen and stay in the shade. You should also wear light color clothing and a hat so your head and body can stay safe. You should steer clear of tanning salons, their tanning beds have the same ultraviolet rays as the sun. Remember, stay safe so you can fun in the sun. For more information checkout the American Medical Association or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Note: What we have written here is not intended to take the place of your doctor's advice. Please talk to your family doctor if you have any questions.

Adapted from http://library.thinkquest.org/J003411/health.htm