Exploring Typical Malaria Treatment and Medication
Malaria is a very serious disease that affects up to 500 million
people worldwide every year. The good news is that the vast
majority of these cases improve, and fatalities are avoided
when quick treatment is administered. Typically, malaria treatment
and medication should be started at the onset of the illness
in order to curb the disease.
Treatment Specifics
Treating malaria always requires medication, but the specifics
of the treatment are based on a variety of factors involving
both the disease and the patient. The species of the malaria
parasite (or Plasmodium) that has infected the patient is the
first factor to be taken into account – there are four
known species that infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium
vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. The recommended
malaria treatment depends on other aspects of the situation
such as:
- the area where the patient contracted malaria
- the severity of the malarial symptoms
- the age and overall health of the patient
- whether the patient is pregnant or has drug allergies
Once these factors have been recorded, proper treatment can
be determined and administered.
Speed Is Key
 If
malaria treatment and medication is administered at the early
stage of the disease, chances of recovery increase significantly.
However, when untreated symptoms worsen with the lapse of
time, the disease becomes more difficult to treat successfully.
Treatment delays can cause severe health complications and
even death.
Medication Specifics
Treating malaria includes taking the proper medication, which
is most often an oral drug. However, in severe cases (especially
with Plasmodium falciparum at the root), medication may need
to be administered through an IV.
Some malaria medications include the following:
- Mefloquine (sometimes sold as Liriam)
- Chloroquine
- Atovaquone-proguanil (sometimes sold as Malarone)
- Quinine
- Primaquine
- Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (sometimes sold as Fansidar)
- Doxycycline
Some malaria medications, such as Artemisin derivatives,
are not licensed for use in the United States, but can be
used for treatment overseas. It is important to note that
some medications are more hazardous to your health than others.
For instance, the use of primaquine requires a screening test
in order to exclude the possibility that the patient is G6PD
deficient.
Does Malaria Treatment Require a Hospital Stay?
If malaria treatment and medication is started soon
after infection, an extended hospital stay may not be required.
However, if the symptoms are severe, the doctor will need
to do blood smears on a daily basis to track the progress
of the disease. If that is the case, or if the medication
must be administered through an IV, it may be necessary to
stay in the hospital until the symptoms are under control.
Pretreatment and Prevention of Malaria
When traveling to areas where there is a high risk
of contracting malaria, it is wise to take precautions against
the disease by taking malaria medication that will protect
you during your travels. Experts state that most of those
infected with malaria did not take a precautionary dose or
did not follow the prescribed schedule for the medication.
Relapses of Malaria
Certain types of malaria cause a relapse within a
short time, and in some cases, years later. Specifically,
the Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale are the most common
species that incur relapses. The potentially harmful return
of the infection can be thwarted by taking a medication such
as primaquine.
Malaria is an incredibly serious disease that can produce
devastating consequences on the body. One must practice due
diligence when traveling to foreign countries where malaria
is prevalent. And should malarial symptoms manifest themselves,
seek treatment as soon as possible.
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