Malaria Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 2 main species of the malaria parasite?
A
Plasmodium flaciparum
Plasmodium vivax
(5 main species)
2
Q
What is the vector for malaria?
A
Female anopheles mosquito
3
Q
Which countries are areas of risk of transmission of malaria?
A
4
Q
Give some symptoms of malaria.
A
Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Splenomegaly
- Dry cough
- Chills
- Sweating
5
Q
What is the incubation period for malaria.
A
Depends on plasmodium species
Can be from 1 week- 1 year +
6
Q
What symptoms/complications can a severe falciparum malaria parasite cause?
A
7
Q
What investigations should be carried out for suspected malaria? (8)
A
- Blood film x3
- FBC
- U&Es
- LFTs
- Glucose
- Coagulation
- Head CT scan (check neurological symptoms
- CXR - look for fluid build up in lungs
8
Q
What is the dignosis based on this blood film?
A
Ring stage of P. falciparum
9
Q
How should malaria be treated?
A
Depends on species:
- P. falciparum= malignant
- Artesunate
- Quinine + doxycycline
- P. vivax, ovale, malariae= benign
- Chloroquine
- Dormant hypnozoites (liver)
- Can recur months later
- –>Give additional primaquine
- Can recur months later
10
Q
How is malaria prevented? (ABC)
A
- Assess risk- travel history
-
Bite prevention
- Repellant etc
-
Chemoprophylaxis
- before and after return
