Malaria

Question 1

what causes malaria

Answer 1

Plasmodium protazoa

- plasmodium falciparum most common and most dangerous form

Question 2

how is malaria spread

Answer 2

bites from female anopheles mosquito

Question 3

where do the sporozoites (malaria spores) travel to once injected through human skin

Answer 3

the liver

Question 4

what do sporozoites multiply into once in the liver

Answer 4

merozoites

• they enter blood stream and infect RBCs
• merozoites reproduce in the RBCs then cause them to rupture – releasing more merozoites

Question 5

why do patients with malaria have fever spikes in 48 hours cycles

Answer 5

merozoites reproduce over 48 hours then RBCs rupture – haemolytic anaemia + fever spikes after 48 hours

Question 6

symptoms of malaria

Answer 6

fever (in 48 hour spikes)
malaise, myalgia
vomiting 
pallor due to anaemia
hepatomegaly 
jaundice

Question 7

incubation period for malaria

Answer 7

1-4 weeks

Question 8

investigations for malaria

Answer 8

malaria blood film

Question 9

treatment options for malaria

Answer 9

malarone 
quinine sulphate (oral) quinine dihydrochloride (IV)
doxycycline

Question 10

prophylactic options for malaria

Answer 10

malarone - take daily, 2 days before exposure and 1 week after
mefloquine - take weekly, 2 weeks before exposure and 4 weeks after
doxycycline - take daily, 2 days before exposure and 4 weeks after

Question 11

side effects of doxycycline

Answer 11

diarrhoea
thrush
photosensitivity

Question 12

side effects of mefloquine

Answer 12

neuropsychiatric disturbance

dizziness