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Scientists describe tafenoquine – a malaria medicine – as a "phenomenal success". Malaria is transmitted by a parasite, Plasmodium falciparum a species of Plasmodium .
Children are more susceptible to infection, while adults can act as "reservoir of the disease," and later arouse the parasite. For this reason, the global elimination is difficult.
The FDA in the United States has approved the drug that can expel the parasite hidden in the liver and prevents it from contracting again. According to BBC some doctors worry that people feel better after a few days of taking medication, and then stop taking it. This stop may cause the parasite to wake up later.
Malaria is more common in countries with a tropical climate. Despite FDA approval, the federal agency warned of side effects. For example: people with anemia problems should not take the medicine as this can worsen anemia. The official recommends that people be tested before being medicated – can be a problem for poor countries where malaria is more common.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.3 billion people are at risk of contracting malaria in their lifetime, especially in the poorest countries. It is estimated that each year the disease exceeds 500 million cases and is responsible for more than a million deaths a year.
"The possibility of expelling the parasite from the liver with a single dose of tafenoquine is a success, and in my opinion represents one of the most significant advances in the treatment of malaria over the last 60 years years, "says Hal Barron, president of the research and development of the GSK – British pharmaceutical multinational – believes that the drug can contribute to the eradication of the disease. "With our partner, Medicines for Malaria Venture, we believe that tafenoquine will be an important drug for malaria patients and will contribute to ongoing research and study to eradicate the disease," he says. GSK GSK is associated with Medicines for Malaria Venture to reuse tafenoquine, which has existed since 1970. GSK patients over the age of six months. 39, pharmaceutical company intends to seek approval in Brazil, then in countries where malaria is most common.In the poorer countries, drugs will be sold at low prices.
company continues to work on the vaccine to find an effective formula.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of malaria is made from blood examined under a microscope or from laboratory tests, which must be performed whenever it there is suspicion of the m disease.
Treatment
The easiest way to treat the disease is when the symptoms are high fever, muscle aches and headaches. But there are people who develop another type of reaction that can be life threatening.
The main objective is to eliminate the parasite from the blood, to prevent that there is progression of the disease. The other goal is to prevent the transmission of the disease to other people.
Treatment begins only after confirmation of diagnosis. The drug is administered by a doctor who uses antimalarial drugs.
Chloroquine – a drug used to treat malaria – is used against the disease caused by Plamodium Vivax another species of this parasite.
Prevention
Use insect repellents on skin and clothing – preferably long clothing and closed shoes so that the skin is not exposed; avoid activities at the foot of lakes, streams, swamps or marshes, as these are places that attract mosquitoes; put mosquito nets in bed and spray with a spray bottle; Avoid the use of perfume, especially at night, as mosquitoes are attracted to the smell and spray outside the doors and windows.
The disease is caused by a parasite, Plasmodium falciparum responsible for most cases.
There are five species of parasites that cause malaria:
– Plasmodium falciparum responsible for most cases of malaria
– Plasmodium vivax causes fewer symptoms and may remain in the liver for years
– Plasmodium ovale is rare and can remain in the liver for years without causing symptoms;
– Plasmodium malariae is the most rare and unlikely to cause infection.
