Malaria

Question 1

Define malaria

Answer 1

Infection with protozoan Plasmodium species (P. falciparum – most life-threatening, P.
vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae)

Question 2

What are the causes/risk factors of malaria?

Answer 2

Recent travel in endemic areas is a major risk factor

Question 3

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Answer 3

• High fever/sweats
• Chills/rigors
• Flu-like symptoms
• Weakness
• Myalgia/arthralgia
• Anorexia
• Diarrhoea
• N&V

Cerebral involvement (falciparum infection)
• Headache
• Disorientation
• Seizure

Question 4

What are the signs of malaria?

Answer 4

• Pyrexia
• Anaemia – pallor
• Hepatosplenomegaly

Severe falciparum infection
• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Jaundice

Question 5

What investigations are carried out for malaria?

Answer 5

• Bloods
- FBC – anaemia
- U&Es – renal failure?
- LFTs – raised BR, AST/ALT
- ABG – metabolic acidosis
• Blood film (Giemsa stain)
- Thick blood film – detect trophozoites to confirm infection
- Thin blood film – identify species and calculate parasitaemia
• Urinalysis – blood, protein