QUESTION I work in Central Africa republic.I was recently diagnosed with malaria (p.falciparum) after a blood test—my 4th attack in 15 months and given Co-Arinate. Two days after completing my dose I went for a 2nd blood test and the trophozoite count was 720/mm3. The doctor prescribed co-artem and said if I don't get better he shall transfuse quinine. Whats your comment on the … [Read more...]
Persistent Antibodies to Malaria?
QUESTION I had malaria as child, more than 30 years ago. It was successfully treated with no relapse. I have since travelled to malaria- endemic countries, but the last time was over 3 years ago. No symptoms. I recently donated blood and routine screening has detected malaria antibodies. How long do the antibodies persist? ANSWER Based on your experience, I would say at least three years! … [Read more...]
Malaria and Pregnancy
QUESTION Can your baby become immune if you're pregnant and you have malaria? ANSWER Some of the protective antibodies that the mother produces when she has malaria can pass to her baby via the placenta. There is also evidence for immune system "priming" in foetuses when their mothers have been infected my malaria during pregnancy. However, these potentially protective effects are usually … [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...]
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 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...]
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 Vaccine
QUESTION For how long does this vaccine work? ANSWER There is not yet a commercially available vaccine against malaria. Recently, results were published (in the New England Journal of Medicine - press releases and news reports about the study are available through the main page of www.malaria.com) presenting preliminary findings of the first Phase 3 clinical trial for a vaccine, called … [Read more...]
How to Prevent Malaria
QUESTION How to prevent malaria? ANSWER Despite its wide geographic range and potentially severe consequences, there are actually several effective strategies for controlling malaria, many of which have been successful of reducing the burden of the disease, and especially the number of deaths, in various regions. The first step towards control is prevention. This has largely been … [Read more...]