Malaria

Question 1

What causes malaria

Answer 1

Malaria is caused by a parasite which is spread by a vector - female Anopheles mosquitoes
Parasites: Plasmodium species
**P. falciparum (May be fatal within 24 hrs of onset of sx)
P. vivax
P. ovale
P. malariae

Question 2

Incubation period and symptoms

Answer 2

Testing indicated for anyone who has travelled to endemic area with onset of febrile illness:
1 week from 1st exposure
To 3 months from last exposure; and up to 12 months.

Febrile illness - Fever, cough, muscle aches, headaches, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, malaise

Question 3

Which parasites given tertian sx, which quartan

Answer 3

Tertian - every 2 days
falciparum, ovale, vivax

Quartan - every 3 days
malariae

Question 4

Malaria prophylaxis

Answer 4

1) Doxyxycline 100mg daily
Commence 1-2 days before travel and for 4 weeks after return. Take around same time each day
*Not for <8yo and pregnancy

2) Atovaquone-Proguanil 250/100mg daily
Paediatric dosing by weight
Commence 1-2 days before travel for for 7 days after return.
*Not for children <5 KG, pregnant/breastfeeding, renal impairment eGFR<30 mL/min