World Malaria Day: How is malaria treated?

Here's a quick guide to treatment options for people suffering from malaria.

By: Pavitra Sampath | | Updated: April 23, 2015 6:48 pm

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As monsoons arrive, India sees a huge spike in the number of malaria cases. It is a vector-borne disease caused due to Plasmodium parasite that uses mosquitoes as the vector. Although deadly, this disease can be easily prevented by taking a few precautionary measures. Awareness about the disease, its types, treatments and preventive measures can easily curb its spread. Here’s a quick guide to the treatment options for people suffering from malaria. Also Read - NIH researchers find new target for malaria treatment: Know the best way to prevent the disease

There are four types of malaria (Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Ovale Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Malariae), that are caused by variants of the same parasite. A quick acting disease, in some cases the symptoms of malaria can take between 10 days and one year to appear. Here are 10 facts you should know about malaria

Diagnosis usually involves a blood test and physical examination and your treatment will depend on the type of malaria you are suffering from. Treatment generally involves a course of anti-malarial drugs. Find out if you are at the risk of suffering from malaria.

Chloroquine

Previously, the common line of treatment for malaria was to administer the drug chloroquine. But over the years it has been found that the drug was ineffective against Plasmodium Falciparum. This plasmodium has more or less developed a resistance to the drug rendering it ineffective leading to the breed of chloroquine-resistant mosquitoes that cause multi-drug resistant malaria. The main ingredient in all anti-malarial drugs is an extract from a plant called Qinghaosu that produces chloroquine.

Combination drugs

The newest drug therapies used in India include using a combination of drugs namely Artemisinin-based combination therapy, analogues of existing drugs (different and more potent forms of the drug) namely atovaquone and proguanil and drug-resistant reversers. In most cases, combination therapy is preferred over conventional therapies because it offers a number of benefits, like:

The parasites are less likely to become resistant to it.
If one drug fails to act, the other drugs will work.
It helps reduce the chances of the condition recurring.

Spiroindolones

Apart from all the other chloroquine-based drugs, there is a new line of drugs called Spiroindolones. This drug has been found to have the potential to block the parasite s signalling pathway leading to its destruction at an early stage in the disease.

Another novel drug is one that causes a salt overload within the parasite s body leading to its death. This drug promises to beat the possibility of the parasite developing a resistance to the drug and provide cheap treatment options to developing countries

The essential part about treating malaria is that even after your malaria is cured, you must continue taking the anti plasmodium therapy for at least three to five days, depending on the type of malaria. Prolonged anti-malarial therapy ensures that there are no traces of the dormant parasite in your liver.