A malaria diet is prescribed for patients who are ailing or recovering from Malaria. Although there are no specific guidelines on diet, patients recovering from malaria are generally weak. An improved dietary regimen could help them return to complete health much faster.
The Malaria Diet
There are no specific guidelines that are provided for patients that are suffering from Malaria. Antimalarial medications are responsible for nausea and vomiting. As a result, during Malaria, patients usually find it difficult to hold solid food in their stomachs. Usually, physicians will monitor the condition and advise liquid food or an IV as necessary for the patient.
Malaria Diet for Acute Malaria
Acute Malaria is characterized by high fevers followed by intense sweating. Nausea and vomiting in the first few days of antimalarial treatment is common too. It is highly recommended that the fluid intake of the patient be monitored as much as possible. Dehydration due to the high fevers and kidney failure are a common problem. Patients are usually advised a liquid diet in the form of hot tea, lemon decoctions, hot soup, gruel. Diluted warm milk and soda water can also be provided if the patient does not have a tendency to vomit. Generally, doctors might prescribe antiemetics to help the patient prevent or control vomiting.
Malaria Diet during Convalescence Period
Patients recovering from Malaria are advised rest to restore energy levels back to normal. Usually, the malarial parasite will have destroyed red blood cells resulting in a lower hemoglobin level. It is recommended that patients get a complete blood check done to assess their overall hemoglobin profile. Physicians might recommend iron supplements and an iron rich diet to bring hemoglobin levels back to normal. A balanced low fat diet rich in fish, fowl, and iron rich vegetables is ideal.
Important Note
There are no nutritional supplements or food items that will help prevent malaria. Malaria is caused by the female anopheles mosquito and it injects a parasite into the body which causes the fever. However, certain food items like Tonic water, bitter lemon, holy basil( tulsi) and grapefruit do contain small amount of quinine. Quinine is a drug which is used to treat malaria. The amounts are generally too small to have any effect on the parasite if it enters into the body.
References
Malaria Control in Complex Emergencies
