Malaria

Alternative Names

Treatment

Anti-malarial drugs can be prescribed to people traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent. It is important to see your health care provider well in advance of your departure, because treatment may begin as long as 2 weeks before entering the area, and continue for a month after leaving the area. The types of anti-malarial medications prescribed will depend on the drug-resistance patterns in the areas to be visited.

According to the CDC, travelers going to South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia, and the South Pacific should take one of the following drugs: mefloquine, doxycycline, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, or Malarone.

Malarone is a relatively new anti-malarial drug in the U.S. and is a combination of atovaquone and proguanil. It may be recommended over the other drugs mentioned, depending on your destination and the possibility of mefloquine resistance.

It is very important to know the countries and areas you will be visiting to obtain appropriate preventive support for malaria.

FOR ACTIVE INFECTIONS

Malaria, especially Falciparum malaria, is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. Chloroquine is a frequently used anti-malarial medication, but quinidine or quinine, or the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, are given for chloroquine-resistant infections.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is expected to be good in most cases of malaria with treatment, but poor in Falciparum infection with complications.

Possible Complications

• Liver failure and kidney failure
• Destruction of blood cells (hemolytic anemia)
• Meningitis
• Rupture of the spleen and subsequent massive hemorrhage

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you develop fever and headache after visiting the tropics.