Correct Answer: 3 years
when a person has been diagnosed with malaria, it is crucial to ensure that their blood is completely free from the malaria parasites before they can safely donate blood. malaria is caused by plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes. once in the human body, these parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells, which can lead to severe health problems and, if untreated, can be fatal.
the reason for the deferral period of three years after treatment for malaria before a person can donate blood is to ensure the safety of the blood supply. this deferral period takes into account the lifecycle of the malaria parasites and the possibility of relapses, which can occur particularly with plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale infections. these species can remain dormant in the liver and cause relapses several months or even years after the initial infection.
during the three-year deferral period, the individual must also remain free of any symptoms of malaria, which includes fevers, chills, sweats, headaches, body aches, nausea, and vomiting. the absence of symptoms suggests that there are no active parasites in the blood that could be transmitted to a recipient through a blood transfusion.
blood transfusions are a critical component of healthcare, and the safety of blood products is paramount. malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusion, and thus, stringent guidelines are necessary to prevent this. the three-year deferral period helps to minimize the risk of transmitting malaria to recipients, who may be particularly vulnerable to infections.
in summary, the deferral period of three years for blood donors who have had malaria is based on the biology of the malaria parasites and the need to ensure that donated blood is safe for transfusion. this policy protects recipients of blood transfusions from the risk of contracting malaria, a disease that has significant health consequences.
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