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Frequently Asked Questions
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| Prevention |
| What is the best way to prevent malaria in persons traveling overseas? |
| Which antimalarial drugs should be used for prophylaxis? |
| Which drug should be recommended to prevent chloroquine-resistant malaria for persons who will not take mefloquine? |
| Diagnosis |
| What is the differential diagnosis of fever and flu-like symptoms in the returned traveler? |
| How long after a traveler's return can development of a fever indicate malaria? |
| Does malaria always present with periodic fevers and classic paroxysms? |
| What are the roles of thick and thin smears in malaria diagnosis? |
| What should be done if the blood smear is negative for parasites but malaria is still suspected clinically? |
| What are the roles of rapid dipstick tests in malaria diagnosis? |
| Consultation for Diagnosis |
| Who is the best person to examine a blood smear accurately and rapidly for the presence of malaria parasites? |
| What is the likelihood that a blood smear will be read as falsely negative? |
| What should I do if there are no experts available to read a blood smear? |
| When should bacterial infection be suspected in severe malaria? |
| Hospitalization |
| What are indications for hospitalizing patients with malaria? |
| When does a malaria patient require admission to the intensive care unit? |
| What kind of monitoring do patients with malaria require? |
| Non-drug Therapy |
| What is the importance of glucose levels and dextrose administration in the treatment of malaria? |
| What is the role of exchange transfusion in the treatment of severe malaria? |
| What supportive measures are indicated in the treatment of severe malaria? |
| Drug Therapy |
| What is the best drug regimen to use for the treatment of nonsevere malaria? |
| Why is quinidine used instead of quinine to treat severe malaria in the U.S., and how do I obtain it (if it is not stocked in the hospital pharmacy)? |
| How is quinidine used safely and effectively in severe malaria? |
| What artemisinin drugs are being used to treat malaria and are any available in the U.S.? |
| Patient Education |
| Do patients with malaria develop immunity that protects them from future exposures to the parasite? |
| What should patients do if they become febrile once they have completed their antimalarial therapy? |
| What are the indications for stand-by therapy in travelers to remote areas? |
| Consultation for Management |
| Are there consultation services other than infectious diseases that should be involved in management of patients with malaria? |
| If experts in infectious diseases are not available, whom can I call for help? |
| Follow-up |
| How long should thick smears be monitored for parasites? |
| What should patients do if they cannot tolerate their medication? |
| Are there any long-term clinical sequelae that may arise from nonsevere malaria episodes? |
Malaria
