Under NVBDCP, the standard treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria to achieve radical cure includes primaquine for which duration?

• A Single dose (0.75 mg/kg) on day 1 only
• B 3 days (0.25 mg/kg/day)
• C 7 days (0.5 mg/kg/day)
• D 14 days (0.25 mg/kg/day) ✓

Explanation

P. vivax radical cure requires 14 days of primaquine at 0.25 mg/kg/day (adults) after ruling out G6PD deficiency, combined with chloroquine 25 mg/kg over 3 days for the blood stage. The 14-day primaquine course is essential to eliminate dormant hepatic hypnozoites responsible for relapse. A single dose suffices for P. falciparum gametocytocidal therapy but is inadequate for eradicating P. vivax hypnozoites.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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