As per the national drug policy for malaria under NVBDCP, a confirmed case of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in a general population area should be treated with:
- A Artesunate for 3 days combined with a single day dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, plus a single dose of primaquine 0.75 mg/kg ✓
- B Chloroquine for 3 days followed by primaquine for 14 days
- C Quinine plus doxycycline for 7 days
- D Artemether-lumefantrine fixed dose combination for 3 days alone
Correct answer: A. Artesunate for 3 days combined with a single day dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, plus a single dose of primaquine 0.75 mg/kg
Explanation
Because of widespread chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum, the national policy recommends artemisinin-based combination therapy: artesunate for 3 days with a single day dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine on day 1. B single gametocytocidal dose of primaquine 0.75 mg/kg is added to reduce transmission. Chloroquine is reserved for P. vivax, and artemether-lumefantrine is not the standard ACT in the Indian programme.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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