QUESTION My daughter is in Kigoma, Tanzania and has the symptoms of Malaria. She was given Duo Cotecxin and it seems to have started making her feel better. But after reading up on all the different types of Malaria parasites I am wondering if a blood test reading at a clinic would be recommended or is it too late for an accurate reading now that she is on meds? ANSWER I am always very … [Read more...]
Test for Malaria?
QUESTION Is there a way to verify that someone has had malaria? I had symptoms that were treated with only 10 days of proper 14 days prescription and had a relapse a year later. Have felt weak and keep my drinking to a very light level as a result. Is there test that can be taken to verify having/had plasmodium vivax? ANSWER The best way to test for relapsing malaria (i.e. Plasmodium … [Read more...]
Recurring Malaria
QUESTION I had malaria twice when I was 4 and 8 years old. I am 50 years old now but I have severe chills at least once or twice a month, muscle aches, fatigue severe head aches for the past 10-15 years with no apparent cause and my I take head ache medication for migraine (maxalt and excedrim) and my chills and fatigue is getting more frequent. I had no other history of any diseases. Is this … [Read more...]
Malaria Relapse
QUESTION Why do I suffer from constant malaria attack? The doctor has prescribed different prescriptions every time I get an attack but its still coming back. What could be the problem? ANSWER There are a number of possible answers to your question. First of all, your doctor might not be prescribing the right type of treatment for the type of malaria that you have. The World Health … [Read more...]
When to Seek Malaria Treatment
QUESTION I have been in New Guinea recently and 2 weeks on am exhibiting all the signs and symptoms of malaria. What is best course of action, considering I do not know what sort of mosquito was hovering about? ANSWER You should visit your physician or a clinic immediately. Depending on where you are, you may have to visit a specialist travel medicine clinic, to be sure that you will be … [Read more...]
Malaria Medicine for Pregnant Women
QUESTION What medicine can be given to a pregnant woman who has malaria? ANSWER The type of anti-malarial that should be given to a pregnant women depends on the type of malaria they have, its severity and how long she has been pregnant. Chloroquine, quinine and artemisinin-derivatives can be given during all trimesters, but in many places malaria is resistant to chloroquine. In … [Read more...]
Regular Fever after Malaria
QUESTION I am from Indore (India). I was affected by malaria positive vivax. My doctor give me some tablet but soon my fever is gone. After few months my fever is come back and fever is repeated every time but does not leave for long time. Fever will repeated after few hours. What can I do? ANSWER It sounds like you might have recurring P. vivax malaria. This is when the malaria is … [Read more...]
Is malaria possible years after bite?
QUESTION My child had a fever for 40 days after returning from a cruise 3 years ago. I begged the pediatrician to test for malaria because she got bit by something in Mexico but they laughed at me. She has had swollen lymph nodes on both sides of her neck for 3 years and all the docs tell me you can have swollen lymph nodes forever but now she has them in her groin and under arm on left side. … [Read more...]
Malaria Relapse
QUESTION I had malaria in Papua New Guinea 40 years ago and had many relapses. I had one 11 years ago and was in hospital for 3 weeks. I have been to a massage therapist who used a hand machine giving out pulses rather strong a bit like tiny electric shots could this activate malaria? ANSWER The reasons why malaria relapses are not well known. Malaria acquired in different places tends to … [Read more...]
Child Has Recurring Malaria
QUESTION My two year old daughter was affected by malaria 9 months back we took proper course and also the follow up course of 6 weeks. After 2 months post 6 weeks she was infected again by malaria and now again she is getting fever and fear this could be malaria again. ANSWER If you suspect she might have malaria again it is important you go and get her tested immediately, as then the … [Read more...]