Difference between revisions of "51: Malaria"

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{{comic
 
{{comic
 
| number    = 51
 
| number    = 51
| date      = January 21, 2006
+
| date      = January 18, 2006 <!-- The comic were released three days earlier on xkcd than on LiveJournal (21/1 2006). We use the earliest possible day-->
 
| title    = Malaria
 
| title    = Malaria
 
| image    = malaria.jpg
 
| image    = malaria.jpg
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
In this comic we see four [[Cueball]]-like children in party hats with a balloon lying on the ground. (The third child could look a little like [[Megan]], but is is just the string for the party hat that creates the effect of him having hair). As it says their malaria party did no turn out to be fun.
 
  
{{w|Malaria}} is a {{w|Mosquito-borne disease}} of humans and other animals caused by {{w|protists}} (a type of microorganism) of the genus ''{{w|Plasmodium}}''. It begins with a bite from an infected female {{w|mosquito}}, which introduces the protists, via its saliva, into the circulatory system, and ultimately to the liver where they mature and reproduce. The disease causes symptoms that typically include fever and headache, which in severe cases can progress to coma or death.
+
This comic humorously considers {{w|pox parties}} as a means of preventing malaria. In these "parties," adults bring their children to deliberately expose them to a communicable disease to promote {{w|Immunity (medical)|immunity}}. This is commonly done for a childhood disease like {{w|chickenpox}} and {{w|measles}} instead of vaccination.
  
It plays on the idea of a {{w|pox party}} where adults bring their children to deliberately expose them to a virus to promote {{w|Immunity (medical)|immunity}}. This is commonly done for a childhood disease like {{w|chickenpox}}. But for other child hood diseases this can now be replaced by {{w|vaccines}}. Some of these illnesses are more serious for adults than children. But after contracting chickenpox once (or any of the other childhood disease once), the {{w|immune system}} has developed {{w|antibodies}} for it and so is not vulnerable to the virus anymore the body has become immune (except in the case of {{w|shingles}}).  
+
In this comic, we see four [[Cueball]]-like children in party hats with a balloon lying on the ground, suggesting a missing "celebrant."
  
However, malaria does not work this way, but instead once one has suffered from malaria, it can recur on its own even after apparent healing from symptoms. So having a malaria party would not promote immunity, but only make people sick and further vulnerable in the future.
+
Some illnesses are more serious for adults than children. For example, chickenpox is far less severe contracted as a child than as an adult, the latter sometimes ending in sterility, brain damage, or worse. (Note that {{w|shingles}} is not adult-onset chickenpox, but a condition occasionally developed by older people who previously had chickenpox)  Having caught chickenpox once, a person's {{w|immune system}} has developed {{w|antibodies}}, reducing vulnerability to the virus. The antibodies create immunity for a significant period of time, possibly life. However, immunity through antibody creation is not usually an effective strategy against malaria. Contrarily, once one has suffered from malaria, it can recur on its own, even after apparent healing from symptoms. Thus, having a malaria party would not be a useful exercise, as many could suffer significant illness and die.
  
There has been allot of {{w|MMR vaccine controversy|controversy}} over the {{w|MMR vaccine}} which works against {{w|measles}}, {{w|mumps}} and {{w|rubella}}. Whereas the last two are only dangerous to adults, and only because they can affect the abilities to have children, measles are a very dangerous disease also for children. In the US between 1987 and 2000 there were a 0.3% risk of a {{w|Measles#Complications|fatal complication}}. It can be much worse in underdeveloped countries. The controversy was based on a claim in an article that was later completely {{w|MMR_vaccine_controversy#Full_retraction_and_fraud_allegations|discredited}}. But this incidence has still caused many parents to keep their children out of this program.  
+
The title text blames "David" for the party, referencing the idea of children blaming each other for an idea that turns out poorly. A malaria party is likely to have more severe consequences than, for instance, a group of 10 year olds building a ski ramp in the backyard.
 +
Also it could be a reference to the Bible: when King David has to choose between three Threads, he chooses a disease for the whole people, lasting 3 days.
 +
===Malaria===
 +
{{w|Malaria}} is a {{w|Mosquito-borne disease}} of humans and other animals caused by {{w|protists}} (a type of microorganism) of the genus ''{{w|Plasmodium}}''. It begins with a bite from an infected female {{w|mosquito}}, which introduces the protists via its saliva into the circulatory system, and ultimately to the liver where they mature and reproduce. The disease causes symptoms that typically include fever and headache, which in severe cases can progress to coma or death.
  
So now parents deliberately take their children to measles parties like the Malaria party here. And although they may become immune if they survive (as opposed to malaria) then there is still a serious risk of death or other complications. And because of this lack of vaccination the advantages of {{w|Herd immunity}} that would else protect infants, the weak and those with a poor immune system from catching these diseases.
+
===Vaccination===
 
+
At the end of the 1990s, a study reported what would turn out to be made-up health threats from MMR-vaccines, which created an {{w|MMR vaccine controversy}} and lower vaccination rates, even after they were exposed as false. This made {{w|pox parties}} more popular as the "natural alternative." However, even usually-"harmless" diseases like {{w|measles}} can (rarely) have complications and side-effects, up to and including death, which are by far more common and/or more severe than the actual health risks involved in vaccination. In the past 20 years, 2 Americans died from measles, both people with compromised immune systems. Also none, or late immunization, may create an immunization gap through which nearly extinct diseases can reenter a population (see e.g. {{w|Epidemiology of measles}}). If this gap can be closed (or made small enough), it is possible to make a disease extinct. This was actually successfully done with {{w|smallpox}}, and is now attempted with the {{w|poliovirus}} (Causing {{w|poliomyelitis}}, also known as infantile paralysis).
This may very well be [[Randall|Randall's]] way of showing what a "great idea" it is to expose your children (and thus also others) to potentially lethal diseases instead of taking the vaccine.
 
 
 
In the title text Randall attributes this idea to the unknown friend [[:Category:David|David]]. He did the same in [[42: Geico]] and  [[100: Family Circus]]. He maybe wishes to wash his hands of this weird idea?
 
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==
:[For Cueball-like children wearing party hats, a discarded balloon is lying to the right. The first part of the text is written above the children, the second below.]
+
:[Four Cueball-like children wearing party hats, a discarded balloon is lying to the right. The first part of the text is written above the children, the second below.]
 
:We had a malaria party  
 
:We had a malaria party  
 
:but it turned out not to be very much fun.
 
:but it turned out not to be very much fun.
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**The previous was [[54: Science]].
 
**The previous was [[54: Science]].
 
**The next was [[52: Secret Worlds]].
 
**The next was [[52: Secret Worlds]].
*This comic kept it's original title: "Malaria "
+
*This comic kept its original title: "Malaria"
 
*It is part of the last six comics on LiveJournal which all had a title without the word "Drawing" in it.  
 
*It is part of the last six comics on LiveJournal which all had a title without the word "Drawing" in it.  
 
**Five of these had exactly the same title on both sites.
 
**Five of these had exactly the same title on both sites.
Line 39: Line 38:
 
**Apart from the [[:Category:First day on LiveJournal|thirteen first comics]] posted to LiveJournal, there were only three other comics without the word "Drawing" in the title before these last six.
 
**Apart from the [[:Category:First day on LiveJournal|thirteen first comics]] posted to LiveJournal, there were only three other comics without the word "Drawing" in the title before these last six.
 
*Original [[Randall]] quote: "'''Current Mood:''' ''Credit to David for this one''"
 
*Original [[Randall]] quote: "'''Current Mood:''' ''Credit to David for this one''"
**In this version he give David credit. In the title text it is more like he blames him for the idea.
+
**In this version, he gave David credit. The title text seems more like he blames him for the idea.
 
*This comic was one of the last 11 comics posted on LiveJournal.
 
*This comic was one of the last 11 comics posted on LiveJournal.
 
**These 11 comics were [[:Category:Posted on LiveJournal after xkcd|posted both on LiveJournal and xkcd]] after the [[xkcd]] site opened on the 1st of January 2006.  
 
**These 11 comics were [[:Category:Posted on LiveJournal after xkcd|posted both on LiveJournal and xkcd]] after the [[xkcd]] site opened on the 1st of January 2006.  
**The first six comics were posted on the same day on both sites. But not this one.
+
**The first six comics were posted on both sites on the same day. But not this one.
*For some reason [[54: Science]] was posted before this one on LiveJournal on the 18th of January 2006, but first a week later on xkcd on the 25th of January 2006.
+
*For some reason, [[54: Science]] was posted before this one on LiveJournal on the 18th of January 2006, but a week later on xkcd, on the 25th of January 2006.
**So this comic were released on xkcd the same day as [[54: Science]] came out on LiveJournal on Wednesday the 18th of January 2006 .
+
**So [[51: Malaria]] was released on xkcd the same day as [[54: Science]] came out on LiveJournal on Wednesday the 18th of January 2006.
**It first came out on LiveJournal the next Saturday three days later on the 21th of January 2006.
+
**It then came out on LiveJournal three days later on Saturday the 21th of January 2006.
**The release date here on explain xkcd uses the first release date, so that is the one on xkcd.
+
**The release date here on explain xkcd uses the first release date, the one on xkcd.
*After the mishap with [[54: Science]] the next three comics came out on LiveJournal a release day later.
+
*After the mishap with [[54: Science]], the next three comics came out on LiveJournal a day later.
 
**First with the last comic released on LiveJournal, [[55: Useless]], did the two sites release the same comic on the same day again.
 
**First with the last comic released on LiveJournal, [[55: Useless]], did the two sites release the same comic on the same day again.
  
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[[Category:Comics posted on livejournal| 49]]
 
[[Category:Comics posted on livejournal| 49]]
 
[[Category:Posted on LiveJournal after xkcd]]
 
[[Category:Posted on LiveJournal after xkcd]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
 
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
 
 
[[Category:David]]
 
[[Category:David]]
 +
[[Category:Characters with Hats]]

Revision as of 22:16, 30 December 2019

Malaria
The malaria party was David's idea.
Title text: The malaria party was David's idea.

Explanation

This comic humorously considers pox parties as a means of preventing malaria. In these "parties," adults bring their children to deliberately expose them to a communicable disease to promote immunity. This is commonly done for a childhood disease like chickenpox and measles instead of vaccination.

In this comic, we see four Cueball-like children in party hats with a balloon lying on the ground, suggesting a missing "celebrant."

Some illnesses are more serious for adults than children. For example, chickenpox is far less severe contracted as a child than as an adult, the latter sometimes ending in sterility, brain damage, or worse. (Note that shingles is not adult-onset chickenpox, but a condition occasionally developed by older people who previously had chickenpox) Having caught chickenpox once, a person's immune system has developed antibodies, reducing vulnerability to the virus. The antibodies create immunity for a significant period of time, possibly life. However, immunity through antibody creation is not usually an effective strategy against malaria. Contrarily, once one has suffered from malaria, it can recur on its own, even after apparent healing from symptoms. Thus, having a malaria party would not be a useful exercise, as many could suffer significant illness and die.

The title text blames "David" for the party, referencing the idea of children blaming each other for an idea that turns out poorly. A malaria party is likely to have more severe consequences than, for instance, a group of 10 year olds building a ski ramp in the backyard. Also it could be a reference to the Bible: when King David has to choose between three Threads, he chooses a disease for the whole people, lasting 3 days.

Malaria

Malaria is a Mosquito-borne disease of humans and other animals caused by protists (a type of microorganism) of the genus Plasmodium. It begins with a bite from an infected female mosquito, which introduces the protists via its saliva into the circulatory system, and ultimately to the liver where they mature and reproduce. The disease causes symptoms that typically include fever and headache, which in severe cases can progress to coma or death.

Vaccination

At the end of the 1990s, a study reported what would turn out to be made-up health threats from MMR-vaccines, which created an MMR vaccine controversy and lower vaccination rates, even after they were exposed as false. This made pox parties more popular as the "natural alternative." However, even usually-"harmless" diseases like measles can (rarely) have complications and side-effects, up to and including death, which are by far more common and/or more severe than the actual health risks involved in vaccination. In the past 20 years, 2 Americans died from measles, both people with compromised immune systems. Also none, or late immunization, may create an immunization gap through which nearly extinct diseases can reenter a population (see e.g. Epidemiology of measles). If this gap can be closed (or made small enough), it is possible to make a disease extinct. This was actually successfully done with smallpox, and is now attempted with the poliovirus (Causing poliomyelitis, also known as infantile paralysis).

Transcript

[Four Cueball-like children wearing party hats, a discarded balloon is lying to the right. The first part of the text is written above the children, the second below.]
We had a malaria party
but it turned out not to be very much fun.

Trivia

  • This was the 49th comic originally posted to LiveJournal.
  • This comic kept its original title: "Malaria"
  • It is part of the last six comics on LiveJournal which all had a title without the word "Drawing" in it.
    • Five of these had exactly the same title on both sites.
    • Only 11 comics have the same title on both sites.
    • Apart from the thirteen first comics posted to LiveJournal, there were only three other comics without the word "Drawing" in the title before these last six.
  • Original Randall quote: "Current Mood: Credit to David for this one"
    • In this version, he gave David credit. The title text seems more like he blames him for the idea.
  • This comic was one of the last 11 comics posted on LiveJournal.
  • For some reason, 54: Science was posted before this one on LiveJournal on the 18th of January 2006, but a week later on xkcd, on the 25th of January 2006.
    • So 51: Malaria was released on xkcd the same day as 54: Science came out on LiveJournal on Wednesday the 18th of January 2006.
    • It then came out on LiveJournal three days later on Saturday the 21th of January 2006.
    • The release date here on explain xkcd uses the first release date, the one on xkcd.
  • After the mishap with 54: Science, the next three comics came out on LiveJournal a day later.
    • First with the last comic released on LiveJournal, 55: Useless, did the two sites release the same comic on the same day again.


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Discussion

They look to be standing up. The black flecks appear to be confetti, and they are all at or below foot level. Their feet and arms do not give the impression of corpses. 108.162.216.32 15:11, 24 June 2015 (UTC)

This entire thing is off. Does anyone else notice that there is no vaccine against Malaria? Thus, the entire discussion about vaccines is pointless. Time for me to do some editing! 173.245.56.142 15:22, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

I don't know if this was part of the explanation that was removed, but as the comic and the explanation allude to and include pox parties, which are often done for infectious diseases that can be vaccinated against, I decided to re-add some vaccination information. I think it ia as much a topic of the comic as Malaria, which is why I put it in a seperate section, similar to the malaria information. Also I think the fact that there is one single time where humanity actually has to be applauded for making something go extinct was in my opinion interesting and cool enough to be included, even if it's perhaps one step removed from the actual comic itself. I actually had to hold myself back to not include a whole story about how they found out that for some wierd reason milkmaids would way more seldom get sick than other people, and find out that most of them had had cowpox, which is relatively harmless (especially in comparison with something like smallpox)and create the first vaccination from the cowpox variant. Actually the word vaccination comes from vacca, the latin ord for cow... so cool.108.162.219.58 04:55, 16 July 2017 (UTC)

The explanation now isn’t much different than the explanation before, most of it was added back later. You can see exactly what was changed with View History. Yes, I know this is from two years ago. Netherin5 (talk) 14:13, 21 March 2019 (UTC)

Surely the joke is that malaria can't be transmitted from one human to another, so being around someone infected with malaria at a "malaria party" wouldn't expose you? It's not contagious, you have to get it from a mosquito, so hanging out with infected humans as depicted would be pointless. -- 172.69.63.38 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)

This definitely needs to be mentioned. Calion (talk) 18:28, 19 February 2023 (UTC)

Do you think the joke could be that a malaria party would involve getting bitten by mosquitos? DownGoer (talk) 00:26, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

I’m not sure I agree with the “missing celebrant.” A missing celebrant wouldn’t necessarily leave a deflated balloon in their wake. DownGoer (talk) 00:26, 26 June 2023 (UTC)