QUESTION What can I do if my infant (6-12 months) gets malaria and how can I tell if they have it? ANSWER Your infant can easily be diagnosed by a blood test, so visit a clinic, doctor or hospital immediately. The diagnosis will either be done by looking at a thick and thin blood film under a microscope, or by a rapid diagnostic test. It is important that a blood test is done in … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention
QUESTION what is the prevention of malaria? ANSWER There are many ways in which to prevent malaria. I'll break them down into three categories: 1) medical prevention, 2) protection from getting mosquito bites and 3) vector control. 1) Medical prevention Malaria can be prevented using certain medications. Taking drugs to prevent a disease is known as "chemoprophylaxis", and so these … [Read more...]
Is it Common to Die of Malaria?
QUESTION is it common to die of malaria? Why? Why not? ANSWER Thankfully, these days it is not very common to die from malaria. Out of an estimated 250 million cases of malaria around the world every year, there are only about 700,000 fatalities. However, 700,000 deaths every year is still a lot! If left undiagnosed and untreated, malaria can progress very rapidly and be a very … [Read more...]
What is Malaria?
QUESTION What is Malaria? ANSWER Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Transmitted by mosquitoes, there are several different kinds of malaria distributed throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, causing somewhere between 300-500 million cases of disease each year, and as many as 1 million deaths. In fact, malaria is one of the biggest … [Read more...]
Malaria in Africa
QUESTION Why do Africans catch malaria more than others? ANSWER There are a number of reasons why malaria is more widespread in Africa than in many other parts of the world. However, it is worth mentioning that other parts of the world, such as India and south-east Asia, also have very high prevalence of malaria, especially in rural areas. The high transmission of malaria is Africa is … [Read more...]
Malaria in Thailand: Phrae and Nan
QUESTION We are traveling in Phrae and Nan (in Thailand) in the period of December-Januar. Is there any risk for malaria. We are travelling with kids (9 months, 6 and 8 year) and want to avoid risky areas. Can we travel safely in that region? Thank you for your reply. ANSWER Thanks for your question. Phrae and Nan are two districts in northern Thailand—the latter shares a border … [Read more...]
Malaria Symptoms, Cures, and Prevention
QUESTION What is malaria cure, prevention, symptom and course? ANSWER I am not sure what you mean by "course" - however, links to information on malaria treatment, prevention and symptoms can be found on the main page of our website. For your convenience, I have provided them here: Information on malaria prevention Information on malaria symptoms and causes As for malaria … [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...]
How to Control Malaria
QUESTION Suggestions to control malaria? ANSWER This answer is copied from an earlier question asking about strategies for controlling malaria in Africa. The methods below are being used by many health ministries, international agencies and non-governmental organisations to combat malaria all over the world (and not just in Africa). Currently, malaria control is based on a combination … [Read more...]
Passing Malaria to Baby
QUESTION I contracted Malaria 3.5 years ago (either in Uganda or Rwanda). I believe it was the Plasmodium falciparum strain. Upon my diagnosis, I was treated and have been healthy since. In regards to pregnancy, is it safe for me to have a baby? What are the chances of passing the malaria virus to the baby? ANSWER First of all, malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite, not a … [Read more...]