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Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites you, it releases malaria parasites into your bloodstream. It is the parasites that cause malaria, not viruses or bacteria. Also, if certain kinds of malaria are not treated immediately, they can be fatal. The disease is uncommon in temperate regions but common in tropical locations such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and India.
Treatment for Malaria
Malaria must be treated with antimalarial drugs as soon as possible. Some patients will be hospitalised for specialised medical treatment. Malaria can reoccur at any time. Malaria medications will be prescribed by your doctor to kill the parasite. Some parasites are resistant to treatment of malaria. The treatments used and the length of treatment will differ depending on (a) the kind of malaria parasite you carry, (b) the severity of your sickness, (c) your age, and (d) pregnancy.
Medication for Malaria
Medication can be used to treat malaria. Doctors may prescribe certain drugs in combination with others for treatment of malaria. The type of parasite in the patient dictates the medicine and the length of therapy.
Antimalarial drugs include:
(a) Chloroquine: Chloroquine is the preferable therapy by doctors worldwide. In many regions of the world, parasites have developed resistance to chloroquine, and the treatment of malaria is no longer effective. In such cases, the doctors will prescribe other medicines.
(b) Artemisinin-based combination therapies or ACTs: The combination therapy or medications based on artemisinin, which includes two or more medications, is regarded as the most effective way of treating the malaria parasite. Doctors prescribe medication to treat chloroquine-resistant malaria—for example, artesunate-lumefantrine (Coartem) and artesunate-mefloquine.
Prevention From Malaria
If you’re travelling to a tropical or subtropical location where malaria is prevalent, talk to your doctor about whether you need to take medications before, during, and after your trip for prevention and control of malaria parasites. Some doctors recommend malaria vaccines for children living in malaria-endemic nations for prevention of malaria.
Malaria is treated using pharmacological drugs. The drugs used and the duration of treatment are determined by the type of malaria, where you were infected, your age, if you are pregnant, and how sick you are before you begin the treatment of malaria. A laboratory test for malaria is required to validate the clinical results. Aside from the malaria-specific diagnostic tests, the lab does an initial workup, a complete blood count, and a regular chemical panel. The WHO recommends that all malaria patients receive prompt malaria diagnosis by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Malaria diagnosis and tests are available at all pathology facilities in your area. The malaria test price is between Rs. 180-1,000, depending on the type of test conducted and the pathology facility. If you reside in or have recently gone to a malaria-endemic area and have malaria symptoms, you may require to take the malaria test. Most patients will get symptoms within 14 days of being bitten by an infected insect.Treatment for Malaria FAQS
How is malaria fever treated?
Is blood test required for malaria treatment?
How much does the malaria test cost?
Who should take the malaria test?
