Treatment:

Malaria, especially Falciparum malaria, is a medical emergency that requires a hospital stay. Chloroquine is often used as an anti-malarial medication. However, chloroquine-resistant infections are common in some parts of the world.

Possible treatments for chloroquine-resistant infections include:

• The combination of quinidine or quinine plus doxycycline, tetracycline, or clindamycin
• Atovaquone plus proguanil (Malarone)
• Mefloquine or artesunate
• The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine (Fansidar)

The choice of medication depends in part on where you were when you were infected.

Medical care, including fluids through a vein (IV) and other medications and breathing (respiratory) support may be needed.

Expectations (prognosis):

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

Complications:

• Brain infection (cerebritis)
• Destruction of blood cells (hemolytic anemia)
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Meningitis
• Respiratory failure from fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Rupture of the spleen leading to massive internal bleeding (hemorrhage)

Calling your health care provider:

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