Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal, disease caused by a parasite. It affects the red blood cells. There are four kinds of malaria that can infect humans: The worst type Plasmodium falciparum, can cause multiple organ failure including cerebral damage and sometimes death. P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae are the other three. Humans get malaria from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito.
Occurrence: Malaria occurs in over 100 countries and territories. More than 40% of the people in the world are at risk.
The World Health Organisation estimates that yearly 300 million cases of malaria occur and more than 1 million people die of malaria and most in Africa
For travellers who are getting well away from medical facilities in malarial areas it could be prudent to carry a ‘standby treatment kit’. This enables you to start treatment whilst getting to medical help where they can check you do actually have malaria.
Manifestations: Symptoms of malaria include
- Fever
- Shaking chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Anaemia
- Jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and eyes)
- Kidney failure
- Seizures
- Mental confusion
- Coma
- Death
Diagnosis and treatment: Taking a blood test will show the infection by the parasite. Remember that malaria can take up to a year or more after initial contraction of the disease to show signs. Treatment is available but prompt treatment is essential in order to safe guard your life.
You can prevent malaria by:
- Use anti malaria drugs no malaria tablet alone is 100% effective. You should be aware of the where the malaria risks are on your trip.
- Follow the bite avoidance advice and use an anti-malarial that is appropriate to your area of travel. Guidelines for anti- malarial’s change regularly so make sure you get your information from an up-to-date source. Completing the course of your tablets post travel is really important as the parasite can be in the liver up to 10 days post bite. Once it is released into the red blood cells it could take a further week for any symptoms to begin (i.e. 2+ weeks later) so if by now bored of your pills you have stopped taking them you would be susceptible to full blown malaria.
- When outside, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
- Tuck your shirt into your pants.
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The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
