Which of the following is the primary class of drugs used to treat and prevent malaria?*1 pointa) Antibioticsb) Antiviralsc) Antifungalsd) Antimalarials

The primary class of drugs used to treat and prevent malaria is d) Antimalarials.

Explanation

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The most effective way to combat this disease is through the use of antimalarial drugs.

Antimalarials work by targeting the life cycle of the malaria parasite within the human body. The most commonly used antimalarial drugs include chloroquine, artemisinin, and mefloquine, among others. These medications not only treat malaria but can also be used for prophylaxis in individuals traveling to areas where malaria is endemic.

In contrast, antibiotics target bacterial infections, antivirals are used for viral infections, and antifungals treat fungal infections. Therefore, antimalarials are specifically designed to combat malaria and are thus the correct choice for treating and preventing this disease.