The red blood cells at this stage may be sticking to blood vessel walls and slowing blood flow. However, a negative film does not exclude the diagnosis, and ill patients must be admitted to hospital. Death has occurred when patients have been dismissed with an erroneous diagnosis of flu, resulting in rapid deterioration. Malaria is also a great mimic and may present itself as cough, diarrhoea, confusion, jaundice and even psychiatric illness. Any illness in a patient returning from a malarious area must be taken very seriously.
Malaria is a medical emergency that requires urgent hospital treatment.
Drug resistance to modern synthetic drugs, such as chloroquine, is such a problem that the tried and tested original quinine is used to treat falciparum malaria. However, both mefloquine and halofantrine are also used. Shock, renal failure and other complications of malaria may necessitate intensive therapy nursing in some situations. Some travellers may be visiting remote parts where prompt medical attention is impossible. They can be provided with drugs for self-treatment.