Malaria Flashcards
What causes malaria
Members of plasmodium family of protozoan parasites
Which is the most common cause of malaria
Plasmodium falciparum in 75% of cases
How is malaria spread
Bites of female anopheles mosquitoes
Type of plasmodium
Plasmodium falciparum, vivax, ovale, malariae
Non-specific symptoms of malaria
Fever, sweats, rigors, malaise, myalgia, headache, vomiting
How long is the incubation period for malaria
1-4 weeks
Signs of malaria
Pallor from anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice as bilirubin is released during the rupture of RBCs
Diagnosis of malaria
Blood film, sent in an EDTA
How to exclude malaria
3 samples of bloods sent over 3 consecutive days
Uses of slow acting schizontides
Used mainly for prophylaxis, daily dosing, suppress blood infection often combined with sulphonamides
Eg of slow acting schizonticides
Folate inhibitors, proquanil and pyrimethiamine
Eg of rapid acting schizonticides
Quinine, chloroquinine, mefloqunie
Uses of rapid acting schizoticides
Acute malarial infection, and used in clinical prophylaxis
Eg of liver schizoticides
Primaquine
Action and uses of live schizonticides
Only agent for radical cure, benign malarials, combined with schizonticide
Oral options for uncomplicated malaria
Artemether with lumefantrine, proguanil and atovaquone, quinine sulfate and doxycyline
IV options for severe or complicated malaria
Artesunate and quinine dihydrochloride
Complications of falciparum
Cerebral malaria, seizures, reduced consciousness, AKI, pulmonary oedema, DIC, severe haemolytic anaemia, multiorgan failure
