QUESTION If a person treated for malaria after being infected from a malaria endemic country of West Africa and cured then he travel back to his country which does not known for malaria endemic region of the world. Question is: Is there any chance of re-occurrence even he is not being exposed to malaria spreading mosquito for some time may be year? Is it true Malaria parasites stays in liver … [Read more...]
Dormant Malaria
QUESTION I was bitten by mosquitoes many years ago and I was wondering can the symptoms lie dormant for as long as 40 years? The reason I am asking is that every summer I am ill with several of these symptoms. I do not have a good immune system. ANSWER There are a couple of types of malaria, namely Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which can lie dormant for many years, and often … [Read more...]
Malaria Fever
QUESTION My Father aged 65 years was diagnosed with 2 types of malaria almost a week back. he has been given medicines but temperature is fluctuating and not coming down. all other organs are functionining properly except platelet count which is little less. Now he has been suggested new medicines for a duration of 14 days. How fast can he recover from this malaria and when will the fever … [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...]
Repeated Malaria Cases, New Guinea
QUESTION Hello, I live in Papua New Guinea. Myself, my wife and my 2 kids (both under 4 years old), get diagnosed with malaria approximately 3-4 times a year, usually vivax or falciparum. Our GP uses a prick of blood and examines under a microscope. Is it that easy/obvious to diagnose under this method and is it common to get this many attacks in a year? I also fear the affects of taking … [Read more...]
P.vivax Malaria Treatment
QUESTION Which drug should be given to a p.vivax malaria patient with deficient glucose 6-phosphate for prevention of relapse? ANSWER Unfortunately, primaquine is the only drug that is known to kill the latent liver stages of P. vivax and P. ovale. Since it can induce haemolysis in people with G6DP deficiency, this drug is usually not recommended for people with this deficiency. However, … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatments
QUESTION What are the of different types of antimalaria drugs? ANSWER Most drugs used in treatment are active against the parasite forms in the blood (the form that causes disease) and include: chloroquine atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®) artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®) artesunate-pyronaridine (Pyramax®) dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (Duo-Cotecxin®) mefloquine … [Read more...]
Malaria Prophylaxis in Ghana, Africa
QUESTION My husband will be traveling to Ghana soon. We have Mefloquine and Primaquine. Which one do you think is best for prophylaxis in Ghana? He also has Fansidar, but we understand it's best not to use this for prophylaxis. Thank you for your help! ANSWER There are positives and negatives associated with both of these medications. Mefloquine is recommended for travelers in Ghana … [Read more...]
Reoccurring Malaria
QUESTION Can malaria reoccur year after year from a single infection? I have been told that it comes back every year by many people. I have had malaria once and it never came back after successful treatment. My thinking is that once the parasite has been eliminated from the system it is gone unless you get bitten again. ANSWER There are several different types of malaria that infect … [Read more...]
Treatment of Chronic Vivax Malaria
QUESTION What is the treatment of chronic Vivax malaria? ANSWER Blood stage infection with Plasmodium vivax can usually be treated successfully with chloroquine, though resistance is spreading in some areas (notably the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, parts of south-east Asia and especially Indonesia, and Peru). P. vivax is also sensitive to artemisinin-based combination therapies … [Read more...]