Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Requiring prompt treatment to prevent complications, the approach depends on how severe the infection is, the type of parasite the bite has come from, and whether or not the person infected has any resistance to drugs that might be administered for treatment.
Preventative treatment
The best treatment for Malaria is prevention. If you are going to a high-risk area, then you should take malaria prevention tablets and ensure you take practical measures to avoid mosquito bites. If you are going to a low-risk area, then you should just take bite avoidance measures.
Treatment for severe Malaria
Severe malaria is a medical emergency, often requiring hospitalisation and intravenous treatment. The main steps in treating severe cases include:
- Intravenous Artesunate: This is the preferred treatment for severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. It is administered directly into the bloodstream to rapidly reduce the parasite load.
- Supportive care: Patients with severe malaria often require fluids, blood transfusions, or treatment for complications like kidney failure or anaemia.
Initial treatment for uncomplicated Malaria
For patients with uncomplicated malaria, treatment typically involves:
- Antimalarial drugs: The most common treatments include artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). These combine two drugs to attack the parasite in different ways, improving the likelihood of success.
- Chloroquine: Effective for treating infections caused by Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale if the parasite is not resistant. However, resistance to chloroquine is widespread, especially in parts of Africa and Asia.
Follow-up
Following successful treatment, it’s essential to:
- Monitor for any recurrence of symptoms
- Administer additional medication if the parasite persists
Timely treatment and prevention efforts are key to controlling and eliminating malaria globally.