Malaria Prevention

Introduction
Malaria is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries and is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but you can protect yourself in three ways:

Avoidance of Bites
Mosquitoes cause much inconvenience because of local reactions to the bites themselves and from the infections they transmit. Mosquitoes spread malaria, yellow fever, dengue and Japanese B encephalitis.

Mosquitoes bite at any time of day but most bites occur in the evening.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE:

1. Avoid mosquito bites, especially after sunset. If you are out at night wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers.

2. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spray an insecticide or repellent on them. Insect repellents should also be used on exposed skin.

3. Spraying insecticides in the room, burning pyrethroid coils and heating insecticide impregnated tablets all help to control mosquitoes.

4. If sleeping in an unscreened room, or out of doors, a mosquito net (which should be impregnated with insecticide) is a sensible precaution. Portable, lightweight nets are available.

5. Garlic, Vitamin B and ultrasound devices do not prevent bites.

Taking Anti-Malaria Tablets
1. Start before travel as guided by your travel health advisor (with some tablets you should start three weeks before).

2. Take the tablets absolutely regularly, preferably with or after a meal.

3. It is extremely important to continue to take them for four weeks after you have returned, to cover the incubation period of the disease. (Malarone requires only 7 days post-travel)

Prompt Treatment
Following these guidelines faithfully might not guarantee complete protection. If you get a fever between one week after first exposure and up to two years after your return, you should seek medical attention and tell the doctor that you have been in a malarious area.

If you are not clear if the area you are travelling to has malaria you can check your destination on the following web link

Introduction Malaria is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries and is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but you can protect yourself in three ways:

Avoidance of Bites Mosquitoes cause much inconvenience because of local reactions to the bites themselves and from the infections they transmit. Mosquitoes spread malaria, yellow fever, dengue and Japanese B encephalitis.

Introduction
Malaria is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries and is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but you can protect yourself in three ways:

Avoidance of Bites
Mosquitoes cause much inconvenience because of local reactions to the bites themselves and from the infections they transmit. Mosquitoes spread malaria, yellow fever, dengue and Japanese B encephalitis.