malaria

Question 1

What is malaria?

Answer 1

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Question 2

What is the primary mosquito responsible for transmitting malaria?

Answer 2

The female Anopheles mosquito.

Question 3

Name three risk factors of malaria.

Answer 3

Immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women and children, travelers from non-endemic areas.

Question 4

How does housing quality influence malaria risk?

Answer 4

Poor housing quality increases exposure to mosquito bites, raising malaria risk.

Question 5

List the causative agents of malaria.

Answer 5

Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

Question 6

What happens to the malaria parasite once it enters the human body?

Answer 6

Sporozoites enter the liver, multiply in hepatocytes, release merozoites, which then invade red blood cells, causing cycles of infection and symptoms.

Question 7

What are the initial steps in the pathophysiology of malaria?

Answer 7

The mosquito injects sporozoites, which travel to the liver, invade hepatocytes, and begin replicating.

Question 8

What happens to red blood cells (RBCs) infected by malaria parasites?

Answer 8

Merozoites multiply inside RBCs, causing them to burst and releasing more merozoites.

Question 9

How does malaria infection cause anemia?

Answer 9

The bursting of infected RBCs leads to anemia and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

Question 10

Why can malaria cause organ dysfunction?

Answer 10

Severe malaria infections can lead to blocked blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage to vital organs.

Question 11

Why does malaria relapse occur?

Answer 11

Some malaria parasites hide in the liver, causing recurrent infections.

Question 12

What are common signs and symptoms of malaria?

Answer 12

Fever, chills, general discomfort, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, rapid breathing, and heart rate.

Question 13

Name three complications of malaria.

Answer 13

Cerebral malaria, breathing problems, and organ failure.

Question 14

What is “blackwater fever,” and how is it related to malaria?

Answer 14

Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria characterized by dark urine, usually due to massive hemolysis (RBC destruction).

Question 15

How does malaria affect blood sugar levels?

Answer 15

Malaria can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as a complication.

Question 16

Describe the microscopy diagnostic procedure for malaria.

Answer 16

A stained thick or thin blood smear is examined under a microscope to detect malaria parasites.

Question 17

What is the purpose of a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in malaria diagnosis?

Answer 17

RDT detects specific malaria antigens in a person’s blood, indicating infection through specific bands on the test card window.

Question 18

What is the IFA test used for in malaria diagnosis?

Answer 18

The IFA test detects species-specific malaria antibodies, forming an antigen-antibody complex that fluoresces, confirming the presence of malaria.

Question 19

What supportive management is used for malaria?

Answer 19

Counseling and follow-up, antipyretics for fever, antiemetics for vomiting, intubation for cerebral malaria, blood transfusions for severe anemia, and renal replacement therapy.

Question 20

What are the recommended medications to reduce fever in malaria patients?

Answer 20

Antipyretics like ibuprofen.

Question 21

What supportive care might be required for a malaria patient with a coma?

Answer 21

Intubation and intensive care support for cerebral malaria.

Question 22

What are the core strategies for malaria prevention?

Answer 22

Raising awareness, vector control, vaccination, using LLINs, IRS, treating fabric with permethrin, and wearing protective clothing.

Question 23

Describe the RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine schedule.

Answer 23

It’s administered as a 4-dose IM injection for children aged 6 to 24 months, reducing malaria morbidity and mortality.

Question 24

What is the MVIP by WHO?

Answer 24

Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, aimed at increasing access to malaria vaccination.

Question 25

How does malaria control address epidemics?

Answer 25

Through prompt diagnosis, early treatment, surveillance, and chemoprophylaxis for high-risk groups.

Question 26

Why is chemoprophylaxis recommended for travelers and pregnant women?

Answer 26

It provides preventive protection against malaria for high-risk groups.

Question 27

What is the role of permethrin in malaria prevention?

Answer 27

Permethrin-treated fabrics repel mosquitoes, reducing the risk of malaria.

Question 28

What are LLINs, and how do they help prevent malaria?

Answer 28

Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) prevent mosquito bites, reducing malaria transmission.

Question 29

How does the WHO’s malaria control strategy address invasive mosquito species?

Answer 29

Through tailored surveillance and control measures for invasive species.

Question 30

What does WHO recommend for early malaria treatment?

Answer 30

Prompt diagnosis and compliance with prescribed treatment to manage and reduce malaria spread.

Question 31

What is WHO’s 2023 malaria theme?

Answer 31

“Time to deliver zero malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.