Potential Dangers Associated with Treatment and Prophylaxis of Malaria

Description: Throughout the world bacterial infections remain a leading cause of illness and death. The introduction of new antibiotics on the market has lagged behind the increasing rate of resistance to many antibiotics to treat infections. This problem becomes magnified in developing areas of the world where resources are not as readily available. Good antimicrobial stewardship involves selecting an appropriate drug and optimizing its dose and duration to cure an infection while minimizing toxicity and reducing the chance to develop antibiotic resistance. This session will look at the limited evidence that supports these ideas and put forth practical suggestions on how antibiotics should be judiciously used in developing countries. Learning Objectives: The participants on completion of the session should be able to... 1. Identify six common clinical syndromes that may be seen in an ambulatory care environment and that may require antibiotic treatment.2. Understand the evidence that summarizes the rate of resistance for these common infectious diseases. 3. Select an antibiotic regimen, dose and duration, that will likely be successful and uses the least amount of health resources.

Malaria control requires an integrated approach with an emphasis on prevention and prompt treatment with effective antimalarials. This presentation will review some of the key points of the WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria and the key elements of the Global Malaria Action Plan. Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes