Malaria Treatment FAQ:
Hi, Im doing a humanities project and I would just like to know a little bit about methods of stopping malaria, both being used and those that haven’t been employed yet.
Hi, Im doing a humanities project and I would just like to know a little bit about methods of stopping malaria, both being used and those that haven’t been employed yet.
I have particular interest in Africa and South America, but information on any areas would be very helpful.
Thank you!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s my two cents of input:
Mosquito prophylaxis eg. wearing of long sleeves, use of insect repellents, avoid going outdoors after sunset or before sun rise.
Antimicrobial agents also for prophylaxis and treatment eg. chloroquine, mefloquine, doxycycline etc.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4927656.stm
I think you will get better info from the first site, but I put the second one there as it showing the differece of treatment 100 years ago vs right now? Does it still work effectively?
In mosquito and malaria endemic areas the preventive methods should really be directed against the mosquitoes. Getting rid of breeding grounds. These are stagnant water pools which may be on the ground or in trees, all these should be filled in. Disused pots, tins cans etc should be disposed off. The mosquito is very opportunist and is capable of using tiny amount of water lying around for a few days to a few weeks, so the measures should be comprehensive and complete. Other measures against mosquito should involve sleeping inside insecticide impregnated nets (some are being provided by Belinda and Bill Gates Foundation and other donor organizations in some African countries). Of course sick people should be treated as well. In sub Sahara Africa this is being done by readily available and cheap Chloroquine. But in the past few years resistance to this form of treatment has appeared in East Africa and is spreading west! Anti malarial tablets for use by travelers to malaria endemic area is another method of preventing the disease.
By and large malaria vaccine is the one which will make a real difference. Work is in progress in Africa involving testing (and so far) small trials, but large scale clinical trials are planned over the next year or two. May be there will be a breakthrough then.
Pellegrini Kitara-Okot
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