QUESTION

What can I do if my infant (6-12 months) gets malaria and how can I tell if they have it?

ANSWER

Your infant can easily be diagnosed by a blood test, so visit a clinic, doctor or hospital immediately. The diagnosis will either be done by looking at a thick and thin blood film under a microscope, or by a rapid diagnostic test.

It is important that a blood test is done in addition to a clinical diagnosis—the symptoms of malaria are very similar to many other infections but the treatment may vary. If found to be positive for malaria, the doctor will recommend appropriate treatment and dosage for the type of malaria they have and their weight/age.

If you live in a malarial area, it is also important to take measures to prevent malaria, such as having your child sleep under a long-lasting insecticide treated bednet, and perhaps spraying your rooms in the evening with insecticides to reduce the number of mosquitoes.