How do you prevent malaria

Many tropical regions in the world are prone to malaria, which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Malaria is a potentially severe parasitical infection; there are five types of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans. However, malaria may be preventable and treatable if diagnosed in a timely manner. Continue reading for more information on how to prevent Malaria.

How do you prevent Malaria and where is it commonly found?


In the UK, approximately 1,500 cases of malaria are reported annually among travellers coming from abroad. This includes migrants to the United Kingdom who were born in malaria-prevalent countries and are visiting relatives and friends back home.  Consequently, since 2006, eight or fewer deaths have been reported. The risk of malaria depends on the season, geographic location, type of accommodation, activities, and the use of anti-malarial tablets and bite prevention measures.

Travellers visiting malaria-endemic areas are at risk of contracting the disease. Globally, malaria is prevalent throughout tropical regions such as Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Oceania. The immunity travellers got in their country of origin will quickly deteriorate once they migrate to a region with no malaria risk. As a result, their UK-born children will have no immunity to malaria. Pregnant women, people with a spleen that is absent or poorly functioning, children, and older travellers are at a higher risk for severe illness.

Learn how to use insect repellents to prevent Malaria in our previous blog post here:

Insect Repellents

How do you prevent Malaria


Symptoms of Malaria


Malaria symptoms mostly include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. However, one may also experience coughing and diarrhoea. All types of malaria can be disabling. Plasmodium falciparum malaria, on the other hand, can progress rapidly and cause fatal complications if untreated promptly.

How to Prevent Malaria


In order to prevent malaria, take the following steps. These steps are known as the A, B, C, D of malaria prevention:

- Awareness of the risk
- Bite prevention (mostly at night)
- Chemoprophylaxis (using appropriate malaria prevention pills)
- Diagnosis (in the event of infection)

Learn how to treat insect bites in our previous blog post here:

Treat Insect Bites

Diagnosis (prompt diagnosis and treatment)


A malaria prevention tablet will depend on which malaria species are prevalent in the area where you are going, as well as whether resistance to the available drugs exists. Some drugs may not be suitable for everyone. This can be due to existing conditions or medication interactions.

You can receive country-specific information about malaria prevention medications from our pharmacists.
If malaria symptoms occur while abroad or up to a year after returning home, travellers should seek immediate medical attention.

Travelling


How can I prevent Malaria and mosquito bites while abroad?


What to do before travelling:


Some mosquito species that transmit disease will bite indoors and during the day.

1. Visit your GP or pharmacist before you leave for the trip
2. Know your health risks and research your holiday destination
3. Wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing
4. Carry a mosquito net and repellent cream
5. Consider travel insurance

What to do while travelling abroad:


1. Always wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing while travelling
2. Sleep under a bed net
3. Avoid going to areas of high mosquito activity
4. Request hotel staff to spray the room if you notice any mosquitoes
5. Shut all the windows and doors of your room

Shop online at Chemist.net for the best products to help you prevent malaria while travelling.

 

How to Prevent Insect Bites                            Shop Repellents


 

 

This blog post was written on behalf of Chemist.net by Pharmacy Mentor.