Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease brought on by tiny parasites called Plasmodium that are spread to people by mosquitoes. Anapheles mosquitoes expose humans this single-celled parasite by biting them. You should know that malaria can occur twice. This is due to the failure to completely eradicate the disease. High parasite densities weakened immune systems, and poor drug administration could all contribute to this. This article discusses the causes, higher-risk groups, and prevention methods of malarial recurrence.
What leads to the recurrence of malaria?
A subsequent episode of a blood-stage parasitic infection that can be detected is known as a ‘recurrent infection‘. Patients with malaria may experience recurrence as a result of a new mosquito bite reinfecting them, which could suddenly appear, or even a relapse.
P. vivax and P. ovale infections recur when their dormant forms in the human liver become active. However, the chances of reoccurrence of malaria is less if a patient moves to an area where malaria is not spread. In addition, if patients receive an effective course of primaquine, there may not be relapses. Recurrent malaria affects children’s neurological growth. These particularly include the short and long-term neurological impairments that occur in cerebral malaria patients after an acute infection with the P. falciparum parasite.
Thus, it is very important that the public health sector implement strategies for early diagnosis, prompt treatment, control, and even behavioral changes in order to reduce the incidence of malaria.
Who has a greater chance of getting malaria again?
Malaria can occur twice and can affect anyone. People who live in malaria-transmission countries account for the majority of cases. When visiting nations with malaria, visitors from non-malaria countries risk contracting the disease.
Teenagers or children in school-age groups between the ages of 6 and 20 make up the majority of recurrence cases. For many years, children in Africa experienced malaria attacks every 4 to 6 weeks. As a result, chloroquine resistance spread. There was an increase in the use of more toxic alternatives as a result. All this led to an increase in exposure of the negative impacts of antimalarial medications among other residents of the same endemic area. Studies have linked the malarial symptom of headaches to a higher risk of recurrence.
How can the recurrence of malaria be prevented?
In order to reduce the impact of malaria in areas where it is widely present, we need urgent evaluation and appropriate knowledge. The World Health Organization advises standard antimalarial therapy for P. vivax malaria, followed by a 14-day primaquine regimen to prevent relapses of the illness. Primaquine is very effective, but patients must take it every day for the entire two-week treatment period.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
