Tips for the Prevention of Malaria When Traveling Abroad

However, one thing that can spoil your trip and cause you trouble for days, weeks, and even years to come are various diseases that can be contracted while traveling in "exotic" places. One such disease is malaria.

Although rare in the United States, over two-fifths of the world's population live in areas where malaria is common. These areas include parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. Throughout the world, between 350 and 500 million cases of malaria are documented annually, and over one million people die each year from this disease.

Thankfully, malaria can be easily prevented, if precautions are used. There are two primary ways to prevent malaria.

1. Prevent mosquito bites. Malaria, which is transmitted thorough the bite of mosquitoes which carry the disease can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. This can be done through using mosquito repellant religiously. Don't go for the kiddy repellant when trying to avoid malaria. Be sure to use a repellant with a high concentration of Deet. Follow the instructions on the label and apply as frequently as permitted.

It is also a good idea to show as little skin as possible while traveling in an area known for malaria. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts whenever possible.

Another way to avoid mosquito bites is to use mosquito netting when you sleep. Mosquitoes often come out in force after dark, and while you are sleeping and therefore not on guard is a perfect time for them to feast on you. The best way to get a good night's sleep and to avoid mosquito bites while sleeping is to use a mosquito net.

2. Medication can be taken to avoid malaria. There are four medications used to "prevent" malaria: antovaquone/proguanil (two drugs combined), doxycycline, mefloquine, and primaquine. I put "prevent" in quotation marks because the medication does not actually prevent the initial infection through the mosquito bite, but rather prevents the development of the disease, by preventing the development of the malarial parasites in the blood.

Many different factors will determine which medication is best for you, so consult your doctor to help you determine which one is right for you. It is probably a good idea to schedule a doctor's appointment at least a month before your planned trip, in case in tests need to be run prior to determining which medication you should take.

Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, headache, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, fatigue, low blood cell counts, and jaundice. Unfortunately, these same symptoms can also be used to describe many other illnesses, and therefore, malaria is often misdiagnosed, especially in the U.S. where it is less common.

If you develop any of these symptoms after traveling abroad, be sure to visit your doctor immediately and be sure your doctor knows that you have been out of the country. Let him or her know that you have been traveling in an area where malaria outbreaks are common.

A key to successful recovery from malaria is early detection and treatment, so don't procrastinate when it comes to receiving appropriate medical attention.