Malaria Prevention Tips

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Malaria Overview

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that's transmitted by an infected mosquitoe. The illness results in recurrent attacks of chills and fever, and it can be deadly.

Although malaria has been virtually wiped out in countries such as North America, Western Europe, and Russia, it's still prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and Central America.

Evolving strains of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes continue to make this disease a global health issue. Malaria remains one of the world's leading infectious killers, particularly of children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Many travelers develop cases of malaria where they have recently returned from parts of the world where malaria is widespread. If you're traveling to malaria-endemic places take precautions before, during and after your trip.

Malaria Causes

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of an infected mosquitoe. The parasite travels from the mosquito to your liver, where the parasite begins to reproduce.

The parasite leaves the liver and travels to the bloodstream, where it infects red blood cells, which then rupture within 48 to 72 hours, infecting more red blood cells.

The first symptoms usually occur 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, though they can appear as early as 8 days or as long as a year later. Then the symptoms occur in cycles of 48 to 72 hours.

Malaria Symptoms

A malaria infection is generally characterized by recurrent attacks with the following signs and symptoms:

• Moderate to severe shaking chills
• High fever
• Profuse sweating as body temperature falls

Other signs and symptoms include:

• Headache, Nausea, Vomiting
• Chills, Fever, Sweating
• Diarrhea, Stools, bloody
• Muscle pain, Convulsion
• Jaundice, Coma

With malaria, you develop a high fever, which comes and goes every other day or few days. How often a fever returns varies with each species of malaria.

Malaria Prevention

There's no effective vaccine against malaria. However, anti-malarial drugs can be prescribed to people traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent.

It is important to see your health care provider or a tropical disease specialist or visit a travel health clinic to obtain the necessary medications to prevent malaria. This should be done well in advance of your departure, because treatment may begin as long as a few weeks before entering the area, and continue for a month after leaving the area.

It is very important to know the countries and areas you will be visiting. Explain to your doctor exactly where you're going. The types of anti-malarial you're prescribed depend on the level of drug resistance within your area of travel.

The majority of people who become infected with malaria do not take preventive malaria medicines or do not follow the correct dosing schedule. Also, the prevention of malaria involves protecting yourself against mosquito bites and taking antimalarial medications. However, public health officials strongly recommend that young children and pregnant women avoid traveling to areas where malaria is common.

To prevent mosquito bites, follow these guidelines:

• Use bed nets (mosquito nets) sprayed with insecticide and insect repellents can decrease the chance of getting infected.
• Limit your outdoor activity between dusk and dawn. Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
• Wear protective clothing (long pants and long-sleeved shirts).
• Use insect repellent with DEET (N,N diethylmetatoluamide). The repellent is available in varying strengths up to 100%. In young children, use a preparation containing less than 24% strength, because too much of the chemical can be absorbed through the skin.

  The most current information about malaria is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). If you are planning international travel, you can learn about the risk of malaria in that geographic area and the medications recommended to prevent infection by contacting:

  The CDC at its toll-free phone number (1-877-394-8747) or Web site (www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/index.htm).

  Also, contact your doctor or local health department.

  Malaria Treatment

  If you are diagnosed early enough and do not have any other severe illness, you should make a full recovery.

  People who recently have traveled to a country in which malaria exists and who develop a high fever or other symptoms that may be malaria should call their doctor or go to a hospital's emergency department

  Report where you have traveled to and report any recurrent fever or symptoms to your doctor because treatment failures are fairly common, and additional treatment will be indicated.
  
   

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