Are there any tests that exist to find out if malaria remains in the body once contracted and treated?

Question

I contracted malalria in 2004 when I was I in Africa and I heard that malaria remains in the body for ever, so I need to know if there is any test that I can take to know if the malaria remains in my body because of the chance of a relapse.

Answer 1

Lots of confusion on this point, and most of the people answering are shooting from the hip. Here's the straight dope.

The antibody test to malaria wont help you- anyne who has ever had malaria is positive- so it tells you nothing about persistence.

Yes, malaria often does remain dormant in the liver after primary treatment, but use of primaquine to treat the liver forms is usually adequate to prevent a relapse. This treatment is usually only necessary if you are infected by Plasmodium ovale or Plasmodium vivax. BUT-since you got your infection in Africa, you were likely infected by Plasmodium FALCIPARUM and it was presumed to resistant to chloroquine. Plasodium falciparum malaria does not usually relapse.

(So who do those Africas speak of having 4 or 5 bouts of malaria? Because they are reinfected through residence in a malarious area, NOT because they relapse. If you get malaria dn move to Norway and get malaria there AGAIN, that is a RELAPSE because you can be sure no Norwegian mosquito is carrying malaria).

Bottom line: if you had routine African malaria, and got treatment and moved away more than a year ago, youre not likely to relapse, but check what you were treated with anyway. You can contact the CDC malaria hotline [phone]) if you have any questions about whether what you got was sufficient (you will need to know what meds you took).

Answer 2

There is an antibody test that might answer your question. It depends on the type of malaria you had and also the treatment you received. Look for a Board Certified Infectious Disease doctor in your area and call for an appointment and testing. Some malaria can remain in your liver if you didn't complete the treatment.

Answer 3

Malaria.
Surprisingly, some ancient Malaria treatments were remarkably effective. Artemisia Annua has been used for at least the last 2000 years in China, its active ingredient Artemisinin was only recently scientifically identified.
The significance of malaria as a health problem is increasing in many parts of the world. Epidemics are even occurring in and around areas that traditionally had been known as Malaria zones before transmissions had been eliminated. These new outbreaks are generally associated with deteriorating social and economic conditions. The main victims are underprivileged rural populations.
Malaria is complex but it is a curable and preventable disease. Lives can be saved if the disease is detected early and given adequate treatment. Consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment
Oral treatment is used for uncomplicated malaria, intravenous or intramuscular treatment for severe malaria. Symptomatic treatment is given for fever and other symptoms. Combination therapy is being advocated to delay the onset of resistance.
Chloroquine: cheapest, rapid action, symptomatic relief, but resistance to chloroquine is common, and it cannot clear the parasite. It is sometimes used in conjunction with Pyrimethamine-Sulphadoxine (S-P) because of rapid initial action.
Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (S-P): to treat chloroquine-resistant uncomplicated malaria. Cheap. Convenient single-dose treatment. Sometimes causes vomiting and skin rashes. Resistance to S-P has also been found.
Quinine: to treat severe malaria and uncomplicated malaria resistant to chloroquine, S-P and mefloquine. Severe side effects, extremely bitter, long regimen, therefore not often used as oral treatment. Intravenous treatment suitable for treating pregnant women and children.
Mefloquine: to treat malaria resistant to chloroquine and S-P. Quite expensive.
Artemisinin: derivatives artesunate and artemether used to treat uncomplicated malaria resistant to chloroquine, S-P and mefloquine. It acts on the broadest range of parasite stages, gives the most rapid cure, has the least side effects. It is widely used in China, Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar. Cheap. Used in combination with S-P (where no resistance) or Lumafantrine.
Amodiaquine: to treat uncomplicated chloroquine resistant malaria.
Chloroquine and Amodiaquine are better than S-P at curing fevers, but chloroquine alone often fails to cure infection. S-P and Ammodiaquine are effective in curing infection.
Resistance should not be confused with lack of compliance, inadequate dose, and re-infection. If patient vomits within one hour after oral dose, the dose must be repeated. Other treatment: fever-reducing drugs, antibiotics, physical cooling, rehydration. Multi drug resistance is most common in SE Asia, especially borders of Thailand.

Check this website, it can tell you what to do:
http://www.who.int/malaria/docs/healthworkers/healthworkers.htm

Answer 4

It is a good query. This parasite remains in the Liver. There are some drug which eliminate this organism even from liver. But any test, is not known to me.

Answer 5

yes there are antibody tests . but if u had contracted in 2004 and had no fever since then you need not bother