Malaria Severity Assessment (WHO Criteria)
Classifies malaria as uncomplicated vs severe per WHO 2015 criteria. Severe malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) requires IV artesunate, not oral therapy.
Score interpretation
→ Oral antimalarials per species: P. vivax: chloroquine + primaquine (check G6PD); P. falciparum: artemether-lumefantrine (Riamet); notify PHE; follow-up in 48h; check parasitaemia
→ Oral artemether-lumefantrine; hospital admission for observation; repeat blood film at 48h; antimalarial drug resistance pattern; baseline LFTs, FBC, glucose; notify PHE
→ IV artesunate (first-line); intubation if GCS <=8; IV dextrose for hypoglycaemia; exchange transfusion if >10% parasitaemia (controversial); HDU/ICU; malaria specialist urgently; PHE notification; monitor fluid balance carefully (cerebral oedema risk)
Interpretation bands for the Malaria Severity. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Acetazolamide (Ménière's Disease) · Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Diuretic)
- Zinc acetate · Zinc salt (Wilson's disease)
- Sulfasalazine · Aminosalicylate / Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)
- Hydroxycarbamide (Hydroxyurea) · Cytoreductive agent / Sickle cell disease / CML
- Hydroxycarbamide (Hydroxyurea) · Cytotoxic / Disease-Modifying Agent
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.