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A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

In chapter "A Treat for Mosquitoes," the text talks about the risks posed by mosquitoes, which are tiny insects often found in homes. Even though they are small, mosquitoes can be very dangerous as they can transmit serious illnesses like malaria and dengue fever, both of which can be fatal. Malaria is spread by female mosquitoes from the Anopheles family. The chapter looks at different subjects related to mosquitoes, including blood tests and ways to prevent mosquito bites.

A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

1. Blood Test

  • Rajat returns to school after being absent for many days due to illness.
  • Aarti asks Rajat how he's feeling, to which he softly replies that he's alright.
  • Jaskirat assumes Rajat must have played a lot while at home, but Rajat explains he didn't because of his fever and having to take bitter medicine.
  • Rajat mentions having a blood test which helped diagnose his malaria.
  • He describes the blood test as feeling like an ant bite when the needle pricked his finger, and only a few drops of blood were taken for testing.

A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

  • Nancy questions how they could diagnose malaria through a blood test, and Rajat explains that malaria can be detected through such tests.
  • Nancy clarifies that not every mosquito bite causes malaria, and it only spreads through disease-carrying mosquitoes.
  • Aarti admits all mosquitoes look the same to her, and Rajat suggests there must be some differences.
  • Nancy asks if the blood was taken from where the mosquito bit, but Rajat explains it wasn't possible to know when or where the mosquito bit him.
  • Nancy questions how they diagnosed malaria through the blood test, wondering if anything specific was seen in the blood.
  • Medicine for malaria made from the dried and powdered bark of the Cinchona tree, historically used for this purpose.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is a disease caused by the bite of an infectious Female Anopheles Mosquito. The organism which is responsible for causing malaria is a protozoan parasite named Plasmodium.
A malarial patient shows the following symptoms.

  • Fever
  • Shaking chills
  • The general feeling of discomfort
  • Headache and Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Muscle or joint pain

A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

How do you know if you have Malaria?


The best way for you to know whether you have malaria is to have a blood test. In this test, a drop of blood is examined under the microscope for the presence of malaria parasites. If your blood has malarial parasites then you are infected with malaria.

How to protect ourselves from Malaria.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from malaria:

  • Ensure there is no stagnant water near your home.
  • Fill in any holes or pits nearby.
  • Keep water containers clean and dry them weekly.
  • Add fish to ponds to eat mosquito larvae.
  • Spray kerosene on still water to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching.
  • Use mosquito nets while sleeping.
  • Use mosquito repellents, like creams, coils, or liquids, to avoid bites.

2. Anemia- What's that? 

  • Aarti had a blood test that showed she has anaemia, a condition where there is not enough haemoglobin or iron in the blood. The normal haemoglobin level is between 12 and 16 gm/dl.

A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

  • To help her anaemia, the doctor prescribed some medicines to boost her strength and recommended she eat jaggery, amla, and more green leafy vegetables as they contain iron.
  • After following the doctor’s advice and eating iron-rich foods, Aarti's haemoglobin levels improved.
  • The newspaper reported on the issues caused by anaemia, noting that it impacts children's physical and mental health, their growth, energy levels, and their ability to study.
  • Anaemia can result in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and pale skin due to the lower capacity of blood to carry oxygen.
  • Health check-ups are now being conducted in schools, and health cards are being created for all children. Anaemic children are also receiving iron tablets.

What is Anaemia?

Anaemia is a condition where there is less haemoglobin or iron in the blood. It means a condition in which we lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to our body’s tissues

A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

Symptoms of Anaemia

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pain
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Headaches

How anaemia is cured?

The doctor gave medicines which includes iron tablets for the treatment of anaemia. Foods rich in iron like jaggery, amla, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage, apple, iron and fish are suggested to overcome the deficiency of haemoglobin or iron in the blood.

3. Baby mosquitoes

Nancy and her friends were talking about a poster they saw on malaria. They learned that larvae are baby mosquitoes, which don't look like mosquitoes at all. Nancy saw some larvae in an old pot filled with water behind her house, and she learned from her mom that mosquitoes lay eggs in water and these larvae hatch from them. 

  • They also discussed how flies can spread diseases like stomach problems, even though they don't bite like mosquitoes. Nancy's dad immediately cleaned the pot and kept it upside down to prevent water from collecting, while Jaskirat mentioned that flies can spread diseases too.
  • Nancy, Aarti, Rajat, and Jaskirat were talking about larvae and mosquitoes. Nancy explained that larvae are baby mosquitoes that look different from adult mosquitoes. She found them in a pot of water behind her house. Her mom told her that mosquitoes lay eggs in water, and larvae hatch from those eggs. 
  • Nancy's dad cleaned the pot and kept it upside down to prevent water from collecting, which stops mosquitoes from breeding there. Jaskirat mentioned that flies can also spread diseases, even though they don't bite like mosquitoes. Shazia aunty told him that flies can spread diseases, especially stomach problems, possibly through contact with contaminated food or surfaces.

4. Survey Reports

Some children did this survey and there were two reports generated by 2 groups
Report 1 summary:  Algae, a type of plant, is found around the taps at the school and spreads significantly during the rainy season. This algae has made the area slippery and is thought to be small waterborne plants.

Report 2 summary: There is a pond near the school that is hidden by dense plant growth, making the water difficult to see. One local resident mentioned that these plants have grown in the water by themselves. Around the pond, there are water-filled pits where larvae were seen. Movement in the area caused many mosquitoes to come out from the plants. Jaskirat believes that the abundance of mosquitoes in her house is due to this dirty pond nearby.

Summary

"A Treat for Mosquitoes" is an educational piece discussing the impact of mosquitoes on human health, particularly focusing on diseases like malaria and dengue fever. It covers topics such as blood tests, malaria symptoms and treatment, anaemia, diseases caused by houseflies, prevention of malaria, mosquito larvae, algae, and the historical discovery of malaria transmission by mosquitoes by Ronald Ross.

Key Points Learned

  • Mosquitoes pose serious health risks by transmitting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
  • Blood tests are essential for diagnosing various diseases and conditions.
  • Malaria symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pains, and fatigue, with treatment historically involving the use of cinchona bark.
  • Anaemia, characterized by low red blood cell count, affects many children, particularly in Delhi.
  • Houseflies can transmit numerous diseases, emphasizing the importance of sanitation.
  • Preventive measures against malaria include eliminating stagnant water and using mosquito nets.
  • Mosquito larvae play a crucial role in the mosquito life cycle.
  • Algae are diverse photosynthetic organisms found in various aquatic environments.
  • Ronald Ross's discovery of malaria transmission by mosquitoes led to significant advancements in disease understanding and control.

Conclusion

This chapter underscores the importance of understanding mosquitoes and their role in disease transmission for public health. It highlights the significance of preventive measures, early diagnosis, and research in combating mosquito-borne illnesses. Ronald Ross's groundbreaking discovery serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry in addressing global health challenges.

The document A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8 is a part of the Class 5 Course EVS Class 5.
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FAQs on A Treat for Mosquitoes Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 8

1. What is a blood test and why is it important?
Ans.A blood test is a medical procedure where a sample of blood is taken from a patient to analyze various components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and other substances. It is important because it helps diagnose medical conditions, monitor health, and assess organ function.
2. What is anemia and what causes it?
Ans.Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to reduced oxygen transport to the body's tissues. It can be caused by various factors, including nutritional deficiencies (like iron, vitamin B12, or folate), chronic diseases, and genetic disorders.
3. Why are baby mosquitoes important in the ecosystem?
Ans.Baby mosquitoes, or larvae, play a crucial role in the ecosystem as they serve as food for various predators, including fish and birds. They also help in the decomposition process of organic matter in water bodies, contributing to nutrient cycling within the aquatic ecosystem.
4. What information is typically found in survey reports?
Ans.Survey reports usually contain data collected from respondents, including demographics, opinions, behaviors, and preferences. They may also include analysis and interpretations of the data, conclusions drawn from the findings, and recommendations based on the survey results.
5. How can I protect myself from mosquito bites?
Ans.To protect yourself from mosquito bites, you can use insect repellent containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, use mosquito nets while sleeping, eliminate standing water around your home, and use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
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