Management of Malaria in HIV and AIDS Patients

If malaria is diagnosed, a full course of antimalarial treatment should be given according to the classification of malaria (uncomplicated or severe malaria).

However, clearance of parasitaemia may not necessarily be accompanied by clearance of symptoms such as fever due to the presence of other underlying opportunistic infections. HIV and AIDS-infected adults with low CD4 cell counts may also be more susceptible to treatment failure with antimalarial drugs.

Note

• In suspected cerebral malaria in an HIV and AIDS patient, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination should be performed to rule out other life-threatening conditions such as bacterial meningitis and cryptococcal meningitis.