Malaria Q&A for travellers

What is malaria?

An infection brought on by a tiny parasite, injected into the bloodstream by Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite at dusk and at night in most components of the tropics. Achievable symptoms consist of fever, headache, shivering, feeling unwell, diarrhoea, and jaundice. Its severity can variety from minimum, in nearby people who have survived a number of infections in the previous, to death inside of 24 hours of the first symptoms, in the most critical circumstances. Malaria is notorious for mimicking significantly less significant conditions, a reality that effortlessly prospects to life-threatening delays in therapy.

Are there numerous sorts?

Most unsafe is the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which triggers 95 per cent of infections in Africa, though only 50 per cent in Asia and Latin America. Fast deterioration is possible, sometimes with reduced blood movement through small vessels in the brain – “cerebral malaria”. Yet another species, Plasmodium vivax, leads to milder signs and symptoms, which frequently don’t appear until finally weeks or months soon after the particular person has returned residence – vivax malaria is seldom fatal.

Who is most at chance?

All travellers from non-malarial countries are highly vulnerable. Also at unique danger: migrants visiting their countries of origin, pregnant ladies, regular travellers who become complacent, 5-star travellers who consider they are invincible, and last-minute travellers with no time to receive appropriate protection. It is also a matter of odds: the longer you invest in a malarial location, the higher the probability of being exposed.

What can I do to shield myself?

Get professional advice, each journey. For minimal-danger destinations – such as significantly of Thailand – the following suffice: DEET-based mostly insect repellents, covering up, and making use of a mosquito-killer or bed net at night. But the place the risk is greater – this kind of as in most parts of tropical Africa – you need antimalarial drugs as well. There are several alternatives and it really is usually achievable to uncover a single that suits you. Adhere to directions carefully, and finish the program. Prevention is not 100 per cent foolproof, so report any illness quickly, and don’t overlook to mention that you have been abroad.

• Dr Richard Dawood is a expert in travel medication at the Fleet Street Clinic, London (020 7353 5678) and the editor of Travellers’ Wellness: how to stay healthy abroad (OUP).

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Malaria Q&A for travellers