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Malaria

Kathrine R. Tan, MPH, MD and Francisca Abanyie, MPH, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Potentially deadly infection with Plasmodium species protozoa, transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes

  • System(s) affected: cardiovascular, hematologic, renal, respiratory, cereb...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Initial symptoms are nonspecific. Suspect malaria in ill patients returning from endemic area with:

    • Fever, malaise, myalgias, chills, headache, nausea, splenomegaly (chronic infection)...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

First Line

  • Oral therapy for uncomplicated chloroquine-resistant Pf (most Pf), chloroquine-resistant Pv, or unknown species:

    • Artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem): Tablet (tab) contains 2...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

PROGNOSIS

Malaria infection (particularly Pf) can be deadly. If diagnosed early and tr...

REFERENCES

1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria Diagnosis & Treatment in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/index.html. Accessed October 5, 2021.

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bonam SR, Rénia L, Tadepalli G, Bayry J, Kumar HMS.  Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Vaccines and Vaccine Adjuvants. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Sep...

CODES

ICD10

  • B51.9 Plasmodium vivax malaria without complication

  • B50.9 Plasmodium falciparum malaria, unspecified

  • B52 Plasmodium malariae malaria

  • B53.0 Plasmodium ovale malaria

  • B52.0 Plasmodium malariae mal...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Consult CDC guidance for appropriate chemoprophylactic agent when traveling to endemic areas.

  • Test for malaria in travelers returning from endemic areas who present with fever or flulik...

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