Travelling abroad is full of grand adventures and surprises – but getting malaria isn’t the kind of surprise that any traveller wants. The good news is that malaria is easily preventable with antimalarial medications like Malarone, as well as by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. Visit Anna Pharmacy’s Travel Clinic in Carshalton, Hackbridge, or Wallington to get the antimalarial medication and advice you need to prevent malaria.
In this traveller’s guide for malaria prevention, you’ll get all the tips you need to stay healthy and travel worry-free!
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a serious disease caused by mosquitos infected with parasites. When infected mosquitos bite you, they transfer these dangerous parasites into your bloodstream. Malaria is most common in underdeveloped countries that have hot and humid climates like Africa, India as well as Central and South America.
HOW TO PREVENT MALARIA
The most effective way to prevent malaria is to take antimalarial medication and taking certain steps to prevent mosquito bites while travelling.
Antimalarial Medication
There are a variety of antimalarials to choose from that will provide maximum protection against malaria, these include:
· Malarone
· Chloroquine
· Doxycycline
· Mefloquine
· Primaquine
Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of each antimalarial medication with a travel health expert at our Anna Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Hackbridge to help you decide which is antimalarial is best for you.
Top 10 Tips on How to Prevent Mosquito Bites
Since malaria pills aren’t always 100% effective, use the tips below to prevent mosquito bites:
1. Avoid travel during the rainy season
2. Wear long sleeves and pants.
3. Sleep under a mosquito net
4. Use DEET mosquito repellent
5. Treat your clothes, mosquito net, sleep sack, and gear with permethrin.
6. Wear socks and closed shoes
7. Stay indoors at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
8. Make sure your room has window screens.
9. Always keep the fan when in the room.
10. Try to avoid spending long amounts of time near still water (lakes, ponds, etc) where the mosquitoes breed.
Malaria Treatment
Malaria can be cured with a combination of different medications and antibiotics to kill off the malaria parasites. However, it’s important to start treating malaria as soon as possible to prevent serious complications from developing such as seizures or brain damage. With treatment, it usually takes about two weeks to be cured of malaria.
Book your appointment at Anna Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Wallington, Hackbridge, or Carshalton for the travel vaccinations, medicine, and advice you need to remain healthy while travelling abroad.