(Infection)

Overview

• Parasitic infection caused by protozoa of the genus plasmodium → plasmodium falciparum is the most life-threatening
• Widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions - travellers account for majority of disease in western countries
• Transmitted to humans via a bite by an infected female anopheles mosquito but may potentially be transmitted by blood transfusion or organ transplantation
• Risk Factors → travel to an endemic area, inadequate chemoprophylaxis, non-use of an insecticide-treated bed net when in an endemic area
  • Protective Factors → sickle cell anaemia, G6PD deficiency
• Notifiable Disease

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Cyclical Fevers with chills and rigors (shivering)
  • Severe cold/rigors followed by severe sweating
• Haemolytic Anaemia → causes jaundice and may turn urine dark
• Splenomegaly
• Headache
• Weakness
• Myalgia
• Arthralgia