Question: What can a pregnant women affected with malaria trophozoite of p. Falciparum (++) do? Can she take chloroquine inside drip? Answer: It depends on whether the P. falciparum in that area is chloroquine-sensitive. If yes, then chloroquine is an appropriate treatment (although it is usually given orally). However, if the P. falciparum is known to be resistant to chloroquine (as it is in … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Malaria but Tests Negative
QUESTION My sister has been suffering from fever from past 22 days temperature varying from 102-106 with chills shivering, headache, body pain,nausea and muscle ache but tested negative for malaria. She also tested negative for dengue, swine flu, hiv, and many others. So out of frustration we gave her mefloc 250 and she seems to be responding. She is still having fever that is after 12 hrs of … [Read more...]
Anti Malaria Tablets – When to Start
QUESTION I am due to travel to South Goa on 27th October 2012. It is 9th Oct now. It says I should start taking my tablets 1 week before traveling, however I was wondering if it was okay to start taking them now so my body can get used to the side affects before I travel. I do not want to be ill all the time whilst I am away. ANSWER Yes, you do need to take preventive medicine against … [Read more...]
Medicine for Malaria
QUESTION is rotam and maladar malaria medicine? ANSWER I have never heard of Rotam, but Maladar is the brand name of a combination sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and is used to treat malaria. However, it should be noted that it is not recommended by the World Health Organization as a first-line treatment option, due to concerns about drug resistance, and also lack of efficacy against certain … [Read more...]
Preventative Medication for Malaria in Dominican Republic
QUESTION I just read the CDC recommended medicines for preventing malaria and I am confused. It gives the pros and cons for taking one drug over another. My husband and I are in excellent health, we need our td boosters. Our 15 year old is current in his vaccinations. We will be in D.R. for 2.5 weeks near Jarabacoa then Rio San Juan. We will be on a missionary trip. What medicine should be take … [Read more...]
Malaria in Namibia
QUESTION could you please let me know, whether or not a malaria prophylaxe injection is necessary for a 3-weeks trip by car in Namibia, starting mid August. ANSWER It depends on where you are going in Namibia. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, malaria is transmitted in Namibia in the provinces of Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and … [Read more...]
Antimalarial Drugs During pPregnancy
QUESTION What is the safest antimalarial drug to be used by a pregnant woman in her second trimester? ANSWER With regards to treating malaria, intravenous artesunate (or quinine, if artesunate is not available) should be used for the treatment of severe/complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Signs of severe and/or complicated malaria include impaired consciousness, organ failure, … [Read more...]
Malaria Prophylaxis for Indonesia
QUESTION I have been working a 4-week rotation between the USA and East Kalimantan (Borneo) for about 2 years. While on Borneo, I am in the jungle much of the time. I have never contracted malaria. I am embarrassed to say I thought I had been inoculated for malaria when I first started working here. I just spent 10 days in a hospital last month fighting a blood degenerating viral infection not … [Read more...]
Malaria Pills Vietnam
QUESTION I am travelling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city via Haalong Bay, Hue and Hoi An, all are Costal areas. Should I take Malarone? I would prefer not to as I am trying to get pregnant. ANSWER In Vietnam, costal areas north of Nha Trang are considered malaria-free, as are the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. As such, it is only rural and costal areas closer to Ho Chi Minh city … [Read more...]
How is Malaria Prevented?
QUESTION What are the methods to prevent malaria? ANSWER Malaria prevention consists of a combination of mosquito avoidance measures and chemoprophylaxis. Although very efficacious, none of the recommended interventions are 100% effective. Mosquito Avoidance Measures Because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk … [Read more...]