What comes to your mind when someone mentions Malaria? I am sure you imagine a swamp in a tropical forest swarming with blood thirsty mosquitoes. But if you are visiting swanky cities and seemingly harmless neighborhoods of 109 endemic countries without proper protection, you are as prone to malaria as in a jungle. There were over 247 million cases of malaria globally in 2006, even though malaria is preventable. Malaria is not only a deadly infection which can kill but also far easily spread than most of us imagine. So, if your next holiday destination lies in tropical or sub-tropical regions of Asia or Africa then along with
travel medicine such as anti-histamine, anti-allergic and anti-pyretic tablets prescribed by your travel physician dont forget to pack anti malaria pills. Talk to your travel doctor about the places you intend to visit and duration of your stay so that he can prescribe right medicine with right dose.
Since carrying travel medicine is not enough, these few precautions help you to stay secure from malaria.
1.Wear long sleeves and long pants especially when venturing outdoors to reduce the exposed skin which invites mosquitoes.
2.Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and down so try to stay indoors with screen doors and windows to avoid mosquito bites.
3.Only a travel doctor can recommend the correct anti malaria pill after studying local pattern of drug resistance which depends entirely on the country you intend to visit and your personal medical history. The International Society of Travel Medicine can also prove to be a reliable resource of valuable information.
4.Make sure that you start anti-malaria medication at least 12 weeks earlier than commencing on journey and continue it almost a month after returning from the affected areas. Failure to take the pills consistently or not completing the course puts you at risk of becoming a victim of this pitiless disease. Sticking to your doctor's advice on how to take the anti-malaria pills is your only bet.
