Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a very serious, widespread disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and can be fatal. It is therefore important to protect against mosquito bites in countries where malaria is present. In the UK alone, over 2000 people each year return from a malarial zone to find they have been infected with the malaria parasite.
Infection with malaria parasites will cause anaemia, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, vomiting, and in extremely serious cases, death.
How to Prevent Malaria Infection
To avoid being infected with malaria, everything possible should be done to avoid mosquito bites. Preventative measures include:
* Sleeping under a mosquito net, which has preferably been treated with pyrethrum or permethrin.
* Using an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET.
* Wearing light coloured clothing that covers arms and legs, and wearing socks if possible, especially at dusk and when outside at night.
* Screening bedroom windows and doors, making sure there are no holes or unscreened entrances for mosquitoes to enter.
* Using air conditioning in rooms if possible.
* Making use of insecticide sprays to kill any mosquitoes that may have got inside rooms during the day, and using a plug in mosquito killer at night.
Anti-Malaria Tablets
If travelling to a part of the world where malaria is prevalent, it is wise to take a preventative (prophylactic) medicine such as chloroquine or proguanil which can be bought over the counter from a pharmacist.
Unfortunately malaria parasites have built up resistance to particular anti-malarial medicines in certain areas. For example, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has become increasingly resistant to chloroquine in many parts of Africa, such as Kenya, Gambia and Nigeria. Other anti-malarial medications may be more suitable.
Know how great the risk of malaria is when travelling, and find out about the appropriate preventative measures to take. A pharmacist, travel clinic or doctor can advise on this.