QUESTION Three yrs old boy having fever every 20 days for past 5 times. Remains for 2-3 days. Can it be malaria? Never got blood tested. ANSWER Recurrence of malaria every 20 days is not that common, but could be caused by two different events: (1) true relapse, whereby the boy is infected with either Plasmosium vivax or Plasmodium ovale, and the parasite is disappearing from his blood … [Read more...]
How is Malaria Treated
QUESTION How is malaria treated? ANSWER This answer is copied from an earlier question about the various available cures for malaria. Malaria can be cured with a number of different medications, depending on then type of malaria and how far the disease has been progressed. For standard, non-complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the World Health Organisation recommends use of … [Read more...]
Recurrent Malaria; Coartem Side Effects
QUESTION I get recurrent malaria 2 to 3 times per year in Feb, March and Sept. I take Coartem which just about kills me. I had it in early Sept this year and it was back 3 weeks later. Please can you advise how to stop it recurring. It has been a regular health problem since the 1980's. I have had 3 Primaquine treatments to eradicate the liver parasites. The treatment did not work. Your … [Read more...]
Paludisme Depuis 5 Mois (Malaria for 5 Months)
QUESTION: En fait je souffre d'un palu que le médécin a mal traité après une analyse sanguine. J'aimerais savoir comment faire pour m'en débarrasser car je traine ce palu maitenant depuis 5 mois. ENGLISH TRANSLATION: In fact I suffer from malaria which the doctor has treated poorly after a blood test. I would like to know how to clear myself of this because I have been carrying this … [Read more...]
I am getting malaria every 6 months
QUESTION: I am getting malaria every six months, after taken chloroquine medicine tablets. Is this normal,when my resistance is low, or is it coming aging, is there any medicine to clear the malaria? ANSWER: While taking chloroquine can be used to treat malaria, it will not prevent re-infection, unfortunately. One thing to check though is whether you are living in an area where the local … [Read more...]
Did I have malaria before?
I am from East Africa. On July 3rd,2011 I had chills and I consulted a doctor, he did a blood test and told me I had malaria and gave me medication. Then after 10 days I had neck pain and I went again to the doctor, who did another blood test, diagnosed malaria and gave medication. Then after 10 days it repeated. It's now the 22nd august,2011. I have pain in my neck and I went to another … [Read more...]
Treatment for Pregnant Woman with P. Vivax Malaria
QUESTION: A pregnant woman has vivax malaria what treatment should be given in case of relapse? ANSWER: Primaquine, the usual drug given to prevent relapse of P. vivax malaria, is not recommended for pregnant women due to inadequate information about its safety. As such, it is normally recommended to treat the relapses with chloroquine, to cure each malarial episode, until after delivery … [Read more...]
Illness from Uganda trip
QUESTION: I just came back from a visit to Uganda Africa. I was unable to take Malarone as I had bad side effects. Vomiting. I was only exposed once when we walked into a swampy rain forest. This of-course was the only day I did not have repellent. We were taking the kids on a nature walk and the German volunteer got a little lost. I ran as fast as could out of the area. Started to feel tired … [Read more...]