Suspected Severe Malaria When Complete Treatment Is Not Possible and Referral Is Required
When a patient presents with suspected severe malaria at a facility where complete, definitive treatment cannot be delivered, clinical guidelines specify exactly which interim steps to take before immediate transfer. The goal is to initiate what care is feasible without delaying referral.
Clinical Situation
The patient has suspected severe malaria. Complete treatment is not possible at the current location. Referral to an appropriate facility capable of delivering definitive care is required without delay.
The protocol establishes how to act in the window before transfer: which injection options apply depending on what is available, and when to refer immediately.
Management Approach
When the preferred injectable antiparasitic agents are unavailable, the protocol designates a specific alternative intramuscular option to be administered as a single bridging dose — followed by immediate referral for further care.
The complete decision pathway — including the prioritised sequence of injectable options and all referral criteria — is in the full structured protocol →
References
- Where complete treatment of severe malaria is not possible, but injections are available, adults and children should be given a single intramuscular dose of artesunate, and referred to an appropriate facility for further care.
- Where intramuscular artesunate is not available, intramuscular artemether or, if that is not available, intramuscular quinine should be used.
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