Management of Severe Malaria: A Practical Handbook

The second revised edition of a pocket-sized guide to the rapid diagnosis and management of severe P. falciparum malaria. In view of the complexities of management, the need for speed, and the severe consequences of errors, the book adopts a highly didactic approach, offering an at-a-glance reference to the signs to look for, the tests to perform, the actions to take immediately and later, and the nursing care required. Special problems addressed throughout the book include the tendency of malaria to mimic many other diseases, the difficulty of diagnosis in cases of self-medication, the spread of parasite resistance to chloroquine and other drugs, and the need for special precautions in areas where blood may be contaminated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Addressed to doctors and other medical staff, the book is designed to facilitate rapid decisions and immediate action. Fold-out flaps on the inside and back covers guide the correct selection, dosage, and administration of antimalarial drugs, provide a map showing the global status of chloroquine resistance, and summarize the immediate steps to follow when confronted with thirteen specific complications. Coloured tab dividers make it possible to flip to the appropriate section containing full details on the clinical features and management of a given complication, the general principles of management and nursing care that apply to all patients, and the special protocols to follow when treating children and pregnant women.