Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria

Excerpt

The World Health Organization's Guidelines for the treatment of malaria. Second edition provides evidence-based and up-to-date recommendations for countries on malaria diagnosis and treatment which help countries formulate their policies and strategies.

In scope, the Guidelines cover the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated and severe malaria caused by all types of malaria, including in special groups (such as young children, pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients), in travellers (from non-malaria endemic regions) and in epidemics and complex emergency situations.

The first edition of the Guidelines for the treatment of malaria was published in 2006. The second edition introduces a new fifth ACT to the four already recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Furthermore, the Guidelines recommend a parasitological confirmation of diagnosis in all patients suspected of having malaria before treatment.

The move towards universal diagnostic testing of malaria is a critical step forward in the fight against malaria as it will allow for the targeted use of ACTs for those who actually have malaria. This will help to reduce the emergence and spread of drug resistance. It will also help identify patients who do not have malaria, so that alternative diagnoses can be made and appropriate treatment provided. The new Guidelines will therefore help improve the management of not only malaria, but other childhood febrile illnesses.

Copyright © World Health Organization, 2010.