QUESTION I heard researchers have found a new malaria parasite—what is the name? ANSWER New malaria parasites are found quite regularly—the parasite that causes malaria, Plasmodium, actually infects birds, reptiles, rodents and non-human primates like monkeys and apes as well as humans. As such, non-human forms of malaria are discovered relatively frequently in other species. … [Read more...]
Doxycycline After Malaria Diagnosis
QUESTION My daughter is 24 and in rural Uganda for 4 months. She has been diagnosed with malaria (plasmodium falciparum) and is taking treatment now. Treatment is 3 tablets of Neosidar tablets contain of sulfadoxine BP and of pyrimethamine followed tonight and for the next 3 days by 4 tablets of Lumarten in the morning and at bedtime with milk. Lumarten is a mix of artemether and lumefantrine. … [Read more...]
Malaria in Summer
QUESTION Does malaria only occur during summer season? ANSWER That depends on where you are. The transmission of malaria depends on the presence of the mosquitoes which are required to transmit the disease (they do this when they bite you). Many kinds of mosquito transmit malaria, though all are of the genus Anopheles. These different species have different climatic requirements, but … [Read more...]
How is Malaria Prevented?
QUESTION What are the methods to prevent malaria? ANSWER Malaria prevention consists of a combination of mosquito avoidance measures and chemoprophylaxis. Although very efficacious, none of the recommended interventions are 100% effective. Mosquito Avoidance Measures Because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk … [Read more...]
Community Based Management for Malaria
QUESTION what are the methods for community based management for malaria? ANSWER Community-based management of malaria revolves around three main principles: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Prevention mainly revolves around stopping mosquitoes from biting people. Methods for this include distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated bednets (and teaching people to use them … [Read more...]
Free Medical Care for Malaria
QUESTION Can you get free medical help for someone In Nigeria that has malaria? ANSWER Theoretically, the Nigerian government should provide basic services, including malaria diagnosis, through primary care clinics which are administered by local government. In addition, Nigeria has recently instituted a National Health Insurance program, which again should assist in providing health care … [Read more...]
Is Malaria Contagious Between Humans?
QUESTION If someone has malaria, is it contagious? ANSWER No. Malaria cannot be transmitted via touching or saliva or air. In virtually all cases, it is only transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, and so cannot be passed from one person to another. There are a few exception—because the parasite lives in certain organs and in the blood, it can sometimes be transmitted via … [Read more...]
Malaria Diagnosis
QUESTION How to identify malaria? My son has fever and headache for the past three days and also vomiting. Is treatment is necessary and what type of treatment he needs? ANSWER You need to take your son to the doctor or to a clinic where they can do a blood test to look for malaria. They will either look at his blood under a microscope or use his blood in a "rapid diagnostic test" (RDT), … [Read more...]
Which Medication to Take for Malaria Treatment
QUESTION Which medicion should we take during malaria? ANSWER Malaria can be a severe, potentially fatal disease (especially when caused by Plasmodium falciparum) and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Patients who have severe P. falciparum malaria or who cannot take oral medications should be given the treatment by continuous intravenous infusion. Most drugs used in … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention During Pregnancy
QUESTION I am emigrating (moving permanently) to Mozambique – Vilanculos in October after my marriage, I want to fall pregnant. What medicine can I take to prevent malaria during my pregnancy in Mozambique? I am afraid of getting malaria while I am pregnant. I am from South Africa, will the doctors here have a remedy for me to take before I am moving to Vilanculos? Do you know of any malaria … [Read more...]