Malaria

Question 1

What is the vector for malaria?

Answer 1

Female Anopheles mosquito

Question 2

What is the causative organism of malaria?

Answer 2

Plasmodium falciparum= protozoa

Question 3

What are the causes of benign malaria?

Answer 3

plasmodium vivax, ovale and malariae

Question 4

What are some well known protective conditions against malaria?

Answer 4

Sickle cell trait

G6PD defieicny

Question 5

What is the presentation of malaria?

Answer 5

Fever, rigors
Malaise, myalgia, arthralgia 
Abdo pain, vomiting 
Headache 
Anaemia 
Hepatosplenomegaly 
Jaundice

Question 6

How is malaria investigated?

Answer 6

Malaria blood film- thin and thick, 3 sam[;es over 3 days
Quantative buffy coat
Rapid antigen test

Question 7

What is the management of uncomplicated malaria?

Answer 7

Quinine
Doxycycline
Falciparum= admit

Question 8

What is the management of severe/complicated malaria?

Answer 8

1. Artesunate
2. Quinine
   Admisison

Question 9

What are some examples of antimalarials?

Answer 9

Malarone= taken daily, fewest side effects 
Mefloquine= taken weekly 
Doxycycline= taken daily

Question 10

What are the side effects of mefloquine?

Answer 10

Can cause nightmares and rarely psychosis/seizures

Question 11

What ar the side effects of doxycycline?

Answer 11

Photosensitivity

Generally antibiotics= diarrhoea, thrush

Question 12

What are some complications of malaria?

Answer 12

Cerebral malaria 
Seizures, reduced LOC 
AKI 
Pulmonary oedema 
DIC 
Severe haemolytic anaemia