ABSTRACT
Malaria usually begins with nonspecific symptoms which could easily be ascribed to other common febrile illnesses and hence be missed. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complicated malaria and death. We describe a case of a 43-year-old male patient with fever who recently returned from West Africa. Initially he was treated for pneumonia; however, after 4 days his symptoms deteriorated and he was diagnosed with severe complicated falciparum malaria for which he was admitted to the ICU. We advocate prompt exclusion of malaria in every patient presenting with fever in the three months following return from an endemic region, and remaining vigilant for an extended period.
Subject(s)
Fever/etiology , Malaria, Falciparum/diagnosis , Travel , Adult , Africa, Western , Fever/diagnosis , Humans , Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology , MaleABSTRACT
The management of recurrent furunculosis is difficult, and often disappointing. We present the case of a 23-year-old female patient suffering from recurrent furunculosis. The furunculosis persisted after treatment with mupirocin nasal ointment, chlorhexidine soap and instructions for washing clothes, towels and bed sheets for a period of 7 days. Treatment with low-dose clindamycin for three months ultimately proved successful. We propose a structural approach for recurrent furunculosis in which extensive history-taking is followed by appropriate tests. Before prescribing an oral antibiotic (preferably low-dose clindamycin or a macrolide for 3 months), the patient should use an antimicrobial nasal ointment and soap and follow hygienic instructions as mentioned above. Members of the household who also have signs of the infection should be treated. Hygienic education is an essential component of treatment. We believe that this approach will lead to a treatment that is more effective and efficient.
