The Melevolent Mosquito

I am now heavily fortified against any pests, viruses or horrible bugs that might attempt to do me harm in the tropical fecund environment of Sierra Leone. In fact, there is NO POSSIBLE WAY I can contract Hepatitis A seeing as I have now received a 2nd booster for the 2nd time. Hmm. Note to self: it pays to take one's immunization record with one to the travel clinic. Better planning required for next time. I will soon begin my weekly doses of Mefloquine which, although it may cause me to have paranoia, hallucinations, severe anxiety, or seizures and may not protect against all forms of malaria, is supposed to nonetheless protect me from contracting the life-threatening infection. Good news. I am advised not to use this drug for a condition for which it is not prescribed. I will bear this in mind.

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about malaria: It is naturally transmitted by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected person, a small amount of blood is taken, which contains malaria parasites. These develop within the mosquito, and about one week later, when the mosquito takes its next blood meal, the parasites are injected with the mosquito's saliva into the person being bitten. After a period of between two weeks and several months (occasionally years) spent in the liver, the malaria parasites start to multiply within red blood cells, causing symptoms that include fever, and headache. In severe cases the disease worsens leading to hallucinations, coma, and death.

When I get to heaven I'm going to inquire about the original purpose of the mosquito.