Update on Malaria Treatment Guidelines

Description: Throughout the world bacterial infections remain a leading cause of illness and death. The introduction of new antibiotics on the market has lagged behind the increasing rate of resistance to many antibiotics to treat infections. This problem becomes magnified in developing areas of the world where resources are not as readily available. Good antimicrobial stewardship involves selecting an appropriate drug and optimizing its dose and duration to cure an infection while minimizing toxicity and reducing the chance to develop antibiotic resistance. This session will look at the limited evidence that supports these ideas and put forth practical suggestions on how antibiotics should be judiciously used in developing countries. Learning Objectives: The participants on completion of the session should be able to... 1. Identify six common clinical syndromes that may be seen in an ambulatory care environment and that may require antibiotic treatment.2. Understand the evidence that summarizes the rate of resistance for these common infectious diseases. 3. Select an antibiotic regimen, dose and duration, that will likely be successful and uses the least amount of health resources.

Malaria prevention and prompt treatment often requires the use of effective antimalarials that many practitioners do not routinely use. These medications are not benign and do have potential adverse effects and drug interactions that we should be aware of and proactive in preventing. This session will review potential adverse effects, drug interactions and the risk of developing resistance for the current prophylaxis agents and the current treatment regimens of malaria.