What
is it?
Malaria in humans is caused by one of four protozoan species. All species
are transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito. Occasionally
Malaria transmission occurs by blood transfusion or congenitally from
mother to fetus.
Signs and Symptoms of Malaria
Malaria is characterized by fever and flu-like symptoms, including chills,
headache, body aches and fatigue; these symptoms may occur at intervals.
Malaria may be associated with anemia and jaundice, and may cause kidney
failure, coma and death. Deaths due to Malaria are preventable. The estimated
risk of a traveler acquiring Malaria varies markedly from area to area.
A Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialist will help you to determine
your risk and Malaria prevention measures.
Protective Measures Against Malaria
Because no currently available drug regimen guarantees 100% protection
against Malaria, prevention of infection requires taking antimalarial
medication as directed in addition to prevention of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes
that carry Malaria have nocturnal feeding habits, thus
Malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn. Measures
to reduce mosquito contact during critical hours include:
- Remaining in well-screened or air conditioned
areas
- Using mosquito nets treated with Permethrin
- Wearing clothing that covers most of the body
and has been treated with Permethrin
- Using insect repellents containing appropriate
levels of DEET
- Using insecticides in living and sleeping
areas where appropriate
Passport Health carries CDC and WHO recommended insect repellents for
purchase.
Antimalarial Drugs
Most antimalarials act in the bloodstream to suppress clinical symptoms
by inhibiting parasite development in red blood cells. Regardless of duration
of stay in a Malarious area, antimalarials should be taken by all travelers.
The regime for all Malaria medications include the need to be taken before
arrival, during the visit, and after departure from a Malaria risk
area. This approach assures adequate blood levels of the drug, enables
the traveler to switch to another drug in the event of side effects and
gets the traveler in the habit of taking the drug on a regular basis.
Because antimalarials do not actually prevent the disease, continued dosing
with antimalarials after departure from an endemic area ensures that the
drug will kill any lingering parasites. A Passport Health Travel Medicine
Specialist will counsel you on recommended antimalaria medications specific
to your travel destination. Antimalaria medications may be prescribed
for you by the Travel Medicine Specialist and many locations may have
antimmalaralaria medications available for purchase.
Follow-Up
Regardless of the drug regimen used, it is still possible to contract
Malaria during travel and to become ill following departure from a malarious
area. Travelers should seek medical attention as soon as possible if a
fever illness develops during a trip or the first year following exposure.
Malaria may be fatal if treatment is delayed.
So, if you are asking yourself, "what shots
do I need?" click here to locate
the location nearest you in Miami-Dade County, or call 305-642-9889.
You can also click
here to learn more about diseases and vaccines that may impact your
trip. |
