Malaria prevention

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites. It’s spread to humans through certain types of mosquitoes and is most common in tropical countries. While malaria is very serious, malaria prevention and treatment is possible. To keep yourself safe, it’s important to know how to help prevent malaria.

How is malaria spread?

There are five species of parasites that are able to cause malaria in humans. The most prevalent of these is P.vivax, while the most dangerous is P. falciparum, mainly found in Africa. These parasites infect certain types of female mosquitoes, which can then spread to humans. Mosquitoes infect people with malaria through their bite, as malaria is able to enter the bloodstream.

You can only be infected through mosquito bites as malaria can’t be spread from person to person.

Malaria is most common in parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East. If you are travelling to these areas, it’s vital you know how to help protect yourself from malaria and take steps towards malaria prevention.

Who is at risk of malaria?

If you’re travelling to or live in a region where malaria disease is prevalent, you’re at risk of malaria. However, making choices that help with malaria prevention is possible, you’ll simply need to know the medical advice on how to prevent malaria disease. This involves preventative medicine and avoiding getting bitten by mosquitoes.

While some people are likely to have more severe symptoms if they are infected with malaria, everyone is able to contract malaria. The likelihood of it being spread is based on your likelihood of being bitten by a mosquito.

You might wonder why mosquitoes bite some people more than others. Studies have shown that certain blood types, along with carbon dioxide and sweat, can be an attraction for mosquitoes. However, mosquitoes aren’t too picky. Even if you have a less-preferred blood type, it’s essential you know how to prevent malaria infection.

How to prevent malaria while travelling

So, how can malaria be prevented? There are two primary recommendations given to avoid getting malaria. The first of these is to talk to your doctor to be prescribed a malaria prevention medication before travelling to an area in which there are known infection cases. The second is to prevent mosquito bites.

Tips for avoiding mosquito bites to help protect yourself from malaria:

Use insect repellent, ensuring you evenly cover all areas of exposed skin.
Rub in the repellent after you apply, don’t just mist it over yourself. Mosquitoes will find any patch of skin you miss so you need to be thorough.
Reapply your insect repellent throughout the day, especially after contact with water.
Wear clothing that is loose and covers you sufficiently. Tight clothing isn’t recommended as mosquitoes are still able to bite through it. Opt for long sleeves and pants.
Keep yourself protected at night by using mosquito nets, window screens and having air conditioning on. Mosquitoes prefer areas with low airflow.

Make sure to protect both yourself and your children. You can use a kids insect repellent that is suitable for their skin. Take care to keep an eye out and see a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

While you take the correct steps to help with malaria prevention, it’s still essential to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors. Children, infants, pregnant women and travellers are all at higher risk.

Symptoms may include:

Flu-like illness
High fever
Chills and shaking
Tiredness and fatigue
Headache
Aching joints
Excessive sweating

If you contract malaria, symptoms will appear a week to two weeks after infection. If left untreated, it can worsen into severe illness and even lead to death. However, it is curable and malaria prevention is possible. Knowing how to recognise symptoms and how to help prevent malaria is important in working towards reducing the number of fatalities of this illness.

What is the treatment for malaria?

No matter how mild the symptoms, it’s vital you get a suspected case of malaria checked by a doctor. The early diagnosis and treatment is essential for minimising risk and reducing the overall transmission of the disease.

The treatment of malaria always involves medication. Depending on the type and severity of the case, as well as the weight and age of the infected person, a doctor will prescribe one or more types of medicine. Most commonly these will be in pill form, however sometimes they may need to be administered through injection.

Summing up malaria prevention

The best way to keep yourself safe is by knowing how malaria can be prevented. Reducing numbers of malaria infection relies on everyone taking the correct steps to help with malaria prevention. Here are the key things to keep in mind:

Take malaria medication if you are travelling to an area where it is prevalent. This includes areas of Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East. Check before you travel and see your doctor for a prescription.
Be diligent in avoiding mosquito bites, as this is the primary way that malaria spreads. Apply repellent, wear protective clothing and use mosquito nets at night.
See a doctor if you suspect you may have been infected. Early diagnosis and care will reduce the risk of severe illness.

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