4-7.
TREATMENT
There are sixteen different types of malaria, and treatment depends on the type
of malaria and the stage and involvement of the disease. The main goal of treatment is
to destroy the parasites while they are in the person's (the host's) blood cells. The drug
of choice is chloroquine which interferes with the parasite's development while it is in
the red blood cells. Individuals who have Plasmodium ovale or Plasmodium vivax
parasites may have prolonged liver infections and should also take the drug primaquine.
If the organisms are resistant to chloroquine, a combination of three drugs (quinine,
pyrimethamine, and a sulfa drug) may be used. Mepacrine is another drug which can
be used.
MD0589
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