A Consulting Pharmacist in Port Harcourt, Pharm. Ejikeme Akunna has cautioned the public about the dangers of malaria recrudescence and reinfection, stressing that improper treatment and poor drug use are fuelling recurring cases of the disease.
Speaking to our correspondent, Akunna explained that malaria recrudescence occurs when malaria parasites from an initial infection are not fully cleared from the blood, causing symptoms to reappear within two weeks after treatment.
On the other hand, reinfection arises when a new mosquito bite introduces fresh parasites into the bloodstream after the original infection has been cured, typically after 28 days.
He illustrated the risks with the case of a patient, popularly called Mummy Bright, who was treated for severe malaria and initially recovered. However, weeks later, she developed the same symptoms more severely, a situation Akunna described as either recrudescence or reinfection.
According to him, common causes of malaria recrudescence include: Inadequate or wrong treatment, such as the use of outdated monotherapies like chloroquine, Fansidar, or quinine instead of modern artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).
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“Poor drug quality: substandard or counterfeit drugs that may have been exposed to heat or improper storage. Incorrect dosing; failure to adjust treatment to a patient’s body weight, particularly in children and pregnant women.
“Poor drug absorption, caused by vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, or not following food instructions specific to certain drugs. Incomplete treatment when patients stop taking medication once symptoms subside.
“Drug resistance, especially in regions with known antimalarial resistance. Weakened immunity in young children, pregnant women, people living with HIV, or those with chronic health conditions.
Pharm. Akunna emphasized that the most effective way to treat malaria remains the proper use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs), taken in the correct dose and under medical supervision. He warned against self-medication, patronizing unqualified drug vendors, and using incomplete drug regimens.
“Prevention is still key,” he noted, urging Nigerians to sleep under insecticide-treated nets, ensure prompt diagnosis, and complete prescribed malaria treatments.
