Important information about Malaria

Every traveler should carefully research about potential diseases and illness while traveling abroad. Nobody wants to have a trip to be spoil by being hospitalized. Always remember the prevention is better than the cure...so therefore take all precautions, vaccinations and use common sense (like don't drink tap water in the country that has high risk of polluted water, sleep under mosquito net in tropical countries where malaria and dengue are prevalent, use mosquito repellents, wear light long sleeved shirts and pants during early mornings / evenings when there is high risk of mosquitoes etc.)

In this section you will find useful information on Malaria – you find here useful websites, how to prevent and cure malaria, its myths etc. Read carefully and take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites and disease.

1. GlaxoSmithCline prepared very useful leaflet on Malarone (you can find it by inserting into google: Malarone® 1 2 3 4)

In this leaflet you find the following information:

• What Malarone is and what it is for
• Before you take Malarone
• While you are taking Malarone
• How to take Malarone
• Possible side effects
• How to store Malarone

2. Here you can find some additional information about Malarone: http://malaria.emedtv.com/malarone/malarone.html
3. Since for Malarone you have to have prescription and you have to pay, you may find the following website useful – it compares the prices of Malarone sellers: http://www.doctorfox.co.uk/anti-malaria-tablets/
4. I think everyone who plans travels should read The Malaria hotspots website:
   https://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/facts-myths.html – on this website you find which countries are exposed to malaria, what the myths about Malaria are, how to prevent it etc.
5. 
   

   Another very useful website: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx Fit For Travel website is consistent with the TRAVAX website which is an interactive website providing up to the minute travel health information for health care professionals. TRAVAX is maintained and continually updated by the Travel Health Team. It is provided as an NHS resource for health care professionals who advise patients about avoiding illness and staying healthy when traveling abroad. Registration is required for access: http://www.travax.nhs.uk/about-travax.aspx  

   
   

   The following information is taken from: http://www.doctorfox.co.uk/anti-malaria-tablets/

   
   

   Taking anti-malaria tablets

   • Take the right tablets for the area you are going to (there are number of types of the anti-malaria tablets)
   • Start your tablets before entering a malaria area. This may be a few days or up to 3 weeks before (depending which tablets you choose to take)
   • Take the tablets absolutely regularly, preferably with or after a meal (check for the possible symptoms of taking the tablets and what to avoid)
   • Continue to take them for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria area. This period is reduced to 7 days for Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) – again depends on which tablets you choose
   • No anti-malaria tablet is 100% effective
     

   Symptoms of malaria

   Malaria symptoms start out similar to flu. Symptoms include fever, shivers, sweating, backache, joint pains, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea & sometimes delirium.
   These symptoms may take a week or more to develop after you have been bitten by an infected mosquito.
   

   • Seek medical advice if you get malaria symptoms for up to a year after exposure, even after taking anti-malarial tablets.
   • If you are traveling in remote areas for prolonged periods it may be best to carry a malaria treatment with you. Discuss this with your regular doctor.
     

    

   Avoiding bites

   Mosquitoes can bite at any time of day. Most bites occur in the evening.
   

   • Wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers if you are out at night.
   • Use insect repellant on exposed skin and under thin clothing.
   • Insecticide sprays, mosquito coils and heating insecticide impregnate tablets all reduce the risk of bites.
   • Where possible sleep in screened rooms and use a mosquito net, preferably one impregnated with insecticide.
   • Ultrasound devices, garlic and Vitamin B do not prevent bites.
     

   
   

   From my own experience:

   I have tried to take the Vitamin B Complex with Brewers Yeast (by Seven Seas) 2 weeks before going on holidays, to avoid mosquito bites. I have been bitten all over while my boyfriend did not have one bite. I also bought some oils that should avoid mosquito bites and insect repellents by Jungle Formula. I still got few bites but I guess if I did not use any of those products and used all precautions, I would be bitten even more.