Malaria

Question 1

What are the 2 main species of the malaria parasite?

Answer 1

Plasmodium flaciparum

Plasmodium vivax

(5 main species)

Question 2

What is the vector for malaria?

Answer 2

Female anopheles mosquito

Question 3

Which countries are areas of risk of transmission of malaria?

Answer 3

Question 4

Give some symptoms of malaria.

Answer 4

Headache

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Splenomegaly
• Dry cough
• Chills
• Sweating

Question 5

What is the incubation period for malaria.

Answer 5

Depends on plasmodium species

Can be from 1 week- 1 year +

Question 6

What symptoms/complications can a severe falciparum malaria parasite cause?

Answer 6

Question 7

What investigations should be carried out for suspected malaria? (8)

Answer 7

1. Blood film x3
2. FBC
3. U&Es
4. LFTs
5. Glucose
6. Coagulation
7. Head CT scan (check neurological symptoms
8. CXR - look for fluid build up in lungs

Question 8

What is the dignosis based on this blood film?

Answer 8

Ring stage of P. falciparum

Question 9

How should malaria be treated?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

How is malaria prevented? (ABC)

Answer 10

• Assess risk- travel history
• Bite prevention
  
  • Repellant etc
• Chemoprophylaxis
  
  • before and after return