QUESTION If I take paracetamol to help control my temperature will it affect my blood test results— can they fail to detect the plasmodium? ANSWER No—taking paracetamol (also called acetaminophen, and sold variously as Tylenol, Panadol and other brand names) is a good way to control your temperature during malaria infection, and it won't affect your blood test results. If you … [Read more...]
Rash and Malaria
QUESTION Is random rash-like swelling on parts of your body coupled with back pains and joint aches and cold sweats all malaria symptom? If so, what is the parasite type and the cure? ANSWER Rashes are not usually associated with malaria infection; the symptoms you describe are however consistent with several other infections, some of which can be quite serious, such as dengue fever. You … [Read more...]
Untreated Malaria
QUESTION If I am infected with malaria and I get a wrong diagnosis and be treated for flu, can the other symptoms disappear but continue to experience severe headache especially on the right side temple and jawbone area combined with general weakness and numbness in the legs? ANSWER Certainly the symptoms of malaria can often be confused with other infections, including flu. Given that … [Read more...]
Malarial Attack Recurring
QUESTION My Father aged 65 years was diagnosed with malaria 15 days back and was on medication. Fever was recurring frequently and he had developed a lung infection. Three days back fever stopped and did not occur for 2 days and malarial infection was reducing. Now the Fever has started coming but other parameters are normal. Can you please suggest what needs to be done? ANSWER If your … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment with Fansidar
QUESTION My husband has Malaria following a trip to Kenya and has had a fever for three days. We are in Russia and the only drug available at the pharmacy was Fansidar (we also have some Doxcycyclin). He took three Fansidar tablets last night and feels better but the fever has still not completely gone. What should we do? Take more Fansidar? Thanks for your help. ANSWER A single dose of … [Read more...]
Do I need malaria tablets to live in Nigeria?
QUESTION Do I need malaria tablets to live in Nigeria? I was born and bred in the UK and want to go back to live in Nigeria for about 2 years, do I need malaria tablets? ANSWER It is not usually recommended to take malaria tablets for long periods of time (i.e. more than a few months). People living for extended periods in areas with malaria should focus on other methods of prevention, … [Read more...]
Socio-Economic and Environmental Conditions Contributing to Malaria
QUESTION what socio-economic and environmental conditions contribute to the disease? ANSWER Malaria transmission requires the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes; as such, conditions which favor the growth and persistence of these mosquitoes will also be hotspots for malaria transmission, provided the climate is also sufficiently warm for the development of the parasite within the mosquito. … [Read more...]
Can’t Get Rid of Malaria
QUESTION Each and every month I am suffering from malaria ..Treatment is also going on but I am unable to get rid of it. ANSWER It is very unusual to be reinfected so constantly with malaria. First of all, how are you getting diagnosed? You should be getting a blood test, and not relying on symptoms only; the symptoms of malaria are very general and it could be that you are suffering from … [Read more...]
Malaria Recurrence
QUESTION I had malaria 5 months back it has again reoccurred. this time there has been increase in the size of the spleen. As of now it is being treated but I fear of getting it again. Is it true the malaria which i am down with reoccurs every 6- 8 months ??? Local people call it as registered malaria.. . ANSWER There certainly are types of malaria that can reoccur relatively regularly, … [Read more...]
Swelling of Lymph Nodes and Malaria
QUESTION I would like to know if swelling of lymph nodes in neck is any way connect to malaria? ANSWER Swollen lymph nodes are often a sign that the body is trying to fight off an infection, and so swollen lymph nodes are certainly sometimes observed in malaria patients. However, most malaria infections would also be associated with other symptoms, such as fever, chills, nausea and aches. … [Read more...]