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
No WHO severe feature.
→ Oral antimalarials per species: P. vivax: chloroquine + primaquine (check G6PD); P. falciparum: artemether-lumefantrine (Riamet); notify PHE; follow-up in 48h; check parasitaemia
No WHO severe feature. UK guideline: P. falciparum with > 2% parasitised red cells is treated as complicated (IV artesunate).
→ Oral artemether-lumefantrine; hospital admission for observation; repeat blood film at 48h; antimalarial drug resistance pattern; baseline LFTs, FBC, glucose; notify PHE
At least one WHO severe feature (any species).
→ 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.