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FALL 2007 |
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Online Only
H
E A L T H P R O M O T I O N
No fever no
malaria test!
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Stock Photo |
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There has been a large
increase in laboratory requests for malaria testing in tourists after
return from a malaria endemic area. The only time a returned tourist needs evaluation for malaria
is when they have a fever.
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By Dr. Jim Hutchinson |
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There has been a large increase in
laboratory requests for malaria testing in tourists after return
from a malaria endemic area. Most of these tests are not indicated.
The only time a returned tourist needs evaluation for malaria is
when they have a fever.
Punta Cana is a common destination for
Newfoundlanders and continues to be an area that the Public Health
Agency of Canada advises malaria prophylaxis even if spending the entire
visit on a resort. However, the risk of infection is very small and
routine testing for malaria in afebrile returned travelers is not
indicated.
While all physicians must stay vigilant
and consider the possibility of malaria in febrile travelers who have
returned from an endemic area, we must also use the laboratory wisely.
Dr. Jim Hutchinson is clinical chief of
infectious diseases with Eastern Health.
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