QUESTION What are the after effects of malaria? ANSWER In almost all cases, if malaria is diagnosed accurately and treated promptly, patients make a full recovery with no after effects. In some cases of severe malaria, the disease can develop into cerebral malaria, which can result in impaired mental function, loss of consciousness and coma (and, if untreated, even death). Again, if … [Read more...]
How to get malaria?
QUESTION How do we get malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and they must have … [Read more...]
Lariam Side Effects
QUESTION How long does it take for the side effects of Lariam to disappear? ANSWER The manufacturers of Lariam report that it can take a "long" time for side effects to disappear, though they don't specify an exact time frame. While most people cease to experience side effects within a few days or weeks of stopping taking the drug (the half-life of the medication in the body is about … [Read more...]
Is it Malaria?
QUESTION I was in Zambia 3-4 weeks ago and had yellow fever shot and malaria pills. A week ago I got a severe headache. I suffer from migraines now and then but it wasn't one. The headache has not passed. 4 days ago I was feeling really ill. I was extremely tired and disorientated. I am nauseated, but not all the time. Have no appetite. I generally feel ill, like something isn't right. … [Read more...]
Malaria and Seizures
QUESTION Is it possible to contract malaria early in life and have a seizure 20 years later? ANSWER I think it is highly unlikely. There are only two types of malaria that can reoccur long after the initial infection (Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale) and neither of these usually results in seizure or other cerebral effects. Looking through the literature, I can only find one case of … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Malaria
QUESTION What are the symptoms of malaria? ANSWER Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the … [Read more...]
Timing of Malaria Microscopy
QUESTION Contrary to our past beliefs we came to know that malaria slides should be taken during afebrile periods when RBCs remain intact, enabling easier diagnosis of malarial parasites. Is this true? ANSWER That is a very interesting question, which I passed on to a diagnostic expert who serves as an advisor to Malaria.com. His response is as follows: Blood films should be … [Read more...]
Blood Test After Child’s Malaria Exposure
QUESTION Our 2 year old son was exposed and bitten about 10 times on Friday, 21st of Ocober in Malindi, Kenya. This was our last day in Kenya after 3 days on the coast preceded by 4 in Masai Mara. On October 28, our son started vomiting. This lasted a day. He did not have a fever at the time. The doctor diagnosed him with rota virus. Our 2 year old took his last dose of Malarone on the same day … [Read more...]
Teen Has Anaemia, Mom Had Malaria
QUESTION I am concerned that my 22 yr old daughter has anaemia (tired & sleepy), possibly caused by Malaria (Katima Mulilo, Namibia), which I contracted just before returning to Cape Town. I fell pregnant at that time. I was treated at the local hospital before returning home. Could it have affected the unborn fetus? My daughter has a low red blood count. ANSWER Congenital malaria … [Read more...]
Malaria with Eye Pain
QUESTION I am having malaria with severe eye pains. What is this? ANSWER Have you actually been diagnosed with malaria, or do you just think you have malaria based on the symptoms? If the latter, I would suggest you visit the doctor immediately. Eye pain is not usually associated with malaria (beyond the fact that some headaches manifest behind the eyes), whereas eye pain is a common … [Read more...]