QUESTION: I live in Pucallpa, Peru. I recently went on a trip to a remote jungle location in amazon jungle of Peru, and now I have malaria, but I’m not sure if it’s Vivax or falciparum. How could I know the difference? It seems like vivax is more common here in the jungle region of Peru, or am I wrong? Also, if it is Vivax, is Chloroquine with primaquine the best thing to take? I heard vivax is … [Read more...]
Malaria Host Range
QUESTION What is a malaria host range? ANSWER Usually, a malaria host range refers to the natural geographical range of one of the hosts of a particular species of malaria. So, for example, Plasmodium reichenowi normally only infects chimpanzees. Chimpanzees live mainly in central and western Africa, so this would determine the host range for P. reichenowi. Other species of malaria, such … [Read more...]
Malaria or Flu?
QUESTION For the last couple of days I am suffering from all the symptoms that are mentioned on your website and I am taking tylenol for these symptoms thinking that it is flu but I am feeling better now. Should I still see a doctor or keep taking tylenol? ANSWER If you are no longer experiencing high fever, then it is likely just flu. However if you live in a malarial area and your … [Read more...]
Areas Where Malaria Occurs
QUESTION Can you please tell me the high, low and no risk areas for malaria. ANSWER Malaria requires certain climatic conditions, both for its own development as well as for the survival of its vector mosquitoes. As such, malaria transmission is concentrated in lowland areas of the tropics, where there is sufficient freshwater for mosquito breeding. However, malaria can also seasonably be … [Read more...]
Malaria and Stomach Ache
QUESTION Can a person suffering from malaria suffer from stomach-aches? ANSWER Sometimes people with malaria have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but the most common symptoms include fever and flu-like illness, such as shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood … [Read more...]
Malaria and Menstrual Cycle
QUESTION Does malaria affect menstrual cycle? ANSWER Malaria usually does not last very long—people usually seek diagnosis and treatment within a few days (since symptoms can be severe) and then treatment and recovery follow swiftly, within another few days (100% recovery may take longer, up to a few weeks). Moreover, malaria does not usually interfere with reproductive organs or … [Read more...]
Malaria Medication During Breast Feeding
QUESTION I am a breast-feeding mother, and I am on the lumartem dosage. Will this affect my baby? He is 9 months old. ANSWER The US Center for Disease Control says that it is safe for a breastfeeding mother to take lumfartem if the baby is over 5 kilos (or 11 pounds). Since your baby is 9 months old, he should weigh more than 5 kg so you should be fine. If you have any questions you … [Read more...]
Malareich and Pregnancy
QUESTION Hi , am 31 weeks pregnant and had to take Malareich as my Anti malaria drug. I did not take the drug until I felt I had malaria, because I had body pains and headaches. Please advise if I will be ok after taking the malareich. ANSWER Malareich is a combination drug comprising of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, which is one of the medications recommended for treatment of malaria in … [Read more...]
Malaria Transmission by Contact?
QUESTION If you come in contact with someone who has had malaria can you get it from them? ANSWER No. It is not transmissible directly between people. Most transmission of malaria occurs when a mosquito infected with the malaria parasites bites someone, who then may get malaria. In some cases, transfers of organs or large quantities of infected blood (such as during blood transfusion) may … [Read more...]
Empty Stomach for Malaria Test?
QUESTION Do we have to go empty stomach for test of malaria? ANSWER No - for a malaria test, they will take your blood and either look at it under the microscope or use it in a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria. Neither of these tests will be affected by whether you eat or not. … [Read more...]