Malaria-II

Treatment
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can ward off fatal conditions that this parasite can potentially cause. The treatment is done with five different types of anti-malarial medicines depending on the type of malaria, your age, severity of symptoms, whether one is pregnant or not.
Chloroquine (under brand names Nivaquine, Avloclor) – this is one of the oldest drug and some malaria strains have become resistant to it. Not recommended in case one has kidney or liver problems, psoriasis, epilepsy or porphyria, vision problems or with other medications. Side effects could be nausea, abdomial pain, headaches and diarrhoea.
Doxycycline (vibramycin or nordox) – not advised for pregnant or breast-feeding women, children under 12 years, people with sensitivity to tetracycline or people with liver damage. Side effects include nausea and diarrhoea.
Atovaquone plus proguanil (Malarone) – not advised to pregnant and breast-feeding women, children under 24 pounds, people with kidney problems. Side effects are abdominal pains and headaches.
Mefloquine (Larium) _ not recommended for babies under 11 pounds, people who have epilepsy or psychiatric or heart problems. Side effects could be headaches, insomnia, dizziness, hallucinations, anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
Proguanil (Paludrine) plus chloroquine – This combination is not recommended for people with liver or kidney ailments. Side effects could be nausea, vomiting, indigestion and mouth ulcers.
Malaria, in mild cases, can be treated at home with prescribed medications. In severe cases, hospitalization and intravenous administration of medicines can be an option. Anti-malaria medications often lead to weakness and tiredness for several days or weeks.
During pregnancy, some anti-malarial medications are not suited as side effects can affect both the mother and unborn child. Chloroquine and quinine are the safer options.
Complications – These include
Anaemia – widespread destruction of RBC’s leads to inability of these cells to carry oxygen, hence causing anaemia. One feels lethargic and weak.
Cerebral malaria – when the infected red blood cells interrupt or block the small blood vessels leading to the brain, it causes the swelling in the brain and lead to irreversible brain damage, seizures or coma.
Breathing problems due to fluid collection in lungs
Liver failure and jaundice (caused by excess of bilirubin in blood)
Dehydration
Kidney failure
Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar
Shock and spontaneous bleeding
Swelling or rupturing of spleen
Complications tend to be more severe in pregnant women and in children.
Prevention
Take precautions when travelling to tropical regions prone to this disease. Anti-malarial drugs can be taken prophylactic under medical advice. It is important to take prompt action in case there are any noticeable symptoms. Once preventive medications are taken, they might not be suitable for future use, so always check with your doctor before taking it. Anti-malarial medications have a routine to be taken so doctor’s advise is a must.
Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, by using insect repellants, wearing long-sleeve shirts and full-leg trousers, using insecticides and mosquito nets n sleeping areas.
All anti-malarial medications have side effects as have already been explained in this article, so it is important to take necessary precautions and doctor’s recommendation before starting any course of medicine.
Care needs to be taken as to the type of medication used when suffering from below conditions
Epilepsy patients should avoid chloroquine and mefloquine. Consult your GP before starting on doxycyline as it might not be as effective when had in combination with epilepsy control drugs.
Psoriasis can worsen with chloroquine. Better to go for prguanil, mefloquine, doxycyline or malarone
Avoid mefloquine in cases of psychiatric history
Proguanil should be avoided in cases with kidney problems.
Avoid mefloquine if using beta-blockers to control irregular heart rates.
Liver problems and HIV or AIDs patients should consult GP before taking any of the anti-malarials.
Avoid doxycyline if suffering from porphyria, a condition causing sunlight sensitivity, abdominal and nerve pain.
If you have undergone splenectomy or removal of spleen, contracting malaria can be fatal, so please consult GP before travelling to high risk malaria prone regions.