Under NVBDCP, a 30-year-old adult is diagnosed with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria (cerebral malaria). What is the recommended parenteral antimalarial treatment before switching to oral therapy?
- A Intravenous artesunate for at least 24 hours, then oral ACT for 3 days ✓
- B Intravenous quinine for 7 days
- C Intramuscular artemether for 5 days
- D Intravenous chloroquine for 48 hours, then oral primaquine
Correct answer: A. Intravenous artesunate for at least 24 hours, then oral ACT for 3 days
Explanation
NVBDCP recommends intravenous artesunate for at least 24 hours in severe malaria, followed by a full 3-day oral ACT course once the patient can tolerate oral medication. IV quinine is the alternative when artesunate is unavailable. Chloroquine is not used for severe falciparum malaria.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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