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Don't risk it prevent it....
MALARIA
Malaria has killed more human beings than any other disease is history. Malaria is real and Deadly. Don't risk it prevent it. Although the concern for malaria is serious you should not feel that traveling to malaria locations is a no no. A large sum of the malaria deaths are those living in rural and poverty stricken areas where the people do not have adequate access to medication to prevent nor treat malaria. Travelers whom enter these areas without following the below suggestions will be at risk
WORLD MALARIA STATISTICS;
219million
Recorded
Cases
435 000
estimated number of deaths
every 2 minutes a child dies from malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa
Malaria is caused by 5 species of Plasmodium parasites transmitted by an infected female mosquito.
TAKE THE "ABCDE"APPROACH IN PREVENTING MALARI
A
AWARENESS
Be aware of the risk and syptoms. Ensure to establish whether the area you are traveling to is a malaria risk area. Malaria risk areas are not static and may change with time, depending on factors such as rainfall and migration of infected individuals. The time of year (malaria is seasonal in South Africa and only in a small area in the country) , with increased risk during wet summer months and the length of stay (the longer the stay, the greater the risk) should also be considered.
Protect the most vulnerable, some people are at greater risk than others such as young children, pregnant women, travelers who lack immunity and people with HIV/Aids.
B
BITE-PREVENT IT
Avoid mosquito bites is as important as using medication to prevent (chemophrophylaxis) malaria
-Remain indoors between dusk and dawn. Mosquitoes "hunt" in the dark.
-Keep windows and doors closed at night (unless installed with screens). Sleep in an air-conditioned room and/or under an insecticide impregnated mosquito net.
-Use mosquito mats, impregnated with an insecticide, or burn mosquito coils in living rooms and sleeping areas.
-Cover up after dark; wear long sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks.
-Apply insect repellent, formulated for application onto exposed skin; repeat as recommended on the container label.
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C
DETECT-DIAGNOSIS
Signs and symptoms include;
-Fever
-Sweating
-Headache
-Muscle Aches
-Fatigue
-Shaking (rigor, chills)
-Vomiting
-Diarrhoea
The incubation period (the time from an infected bite to the onset of symptoms) varies from 7-14 days.
Immediately seek medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms.
D
EMERGENCY
Any flu-like symptoms commencing 7 days or longer after entering the malaria area should be presumed malaria. Seek expert medical care and ensure the diagnosis is confirmed with a reliable laboratory diagnosis that includes a malaria blood smear and/or a rapid malaria antigen test, preferable with a full blood count (FBC). This is irrespective of wether you think you were/not bitten and/or wether you have taken malaria prevention medication.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1
CAN I GET A VACCINE TO PREVENT MALARIA
No, there is no vaccine available to prevent malaria.
2
HOW SOON AFTER I HAVE BEEN BITTEN, WILL THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR?
Symptoms can occur as early 7 days after being bitten (this is rare), but usually between 10-14 days after being bitten. cases have been reported where the symptoms occured months after being bitten.
3
IS MALARIA CONTAGIOUS?
Malaria is not a contagious disease and is not spread by casual or sexual contact. In rare cases, it can be passed on to the foestus in the womb and via blood transfusions.
4
WHY SHOULD I TAKE MEDICATION BEFORE AND AFTER LEAVING THE MALARIA AREA?
Stopping early puts you at risk of getting malaria, as it takes 7 days to ensure that any parasites that may be in your blood following a bite from an infected mosquito are killed. Follow instructions from the pharmacist, doctor or travel clinic. Commence usually 1-2 days before entering a malaria area to ensure adequate levels. Complete the full course of medication for maximum protection.
5
IF I TAKE MALARIA PREVENTION MEDICATION AM I 100% PROTECTED?
Antimalarial medication is more than 90% effective in preventing malaria if used as prescribed. Follow the guide to prevent mosquito bites and take your malaria prevention medication as prescribed. Antimalarials DO NOT mask the symptoms of malaria!
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