Malaria is a serious illness caused by a
parasite known as Plasmodium. It is spread
through the bite of an infected female
mosquito. Infected persons have feverish
attacks, influenza-like symptoms, tiredness,
diarrhea or a range of other symptoms.
The malaria parasite (plasmodium), is a
single-cell organism (protozoan), which lives
as a parasite in man and a specific species
of mosquito (Anopheles).
There are 4 different types of malaria parasite:
Plasmodium falciparum causes malignant malaria. Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale
and Plasmodium malaria cause more benign
types of malaria.
Malignant malaria can kill, but the other
forms are less likely to prove fatal. All travelers to areas with malaria
transmission, including infants, children,
and former residents of these areas, should
protect themselves from malaria by taking an
anti malaria drug and prevent mosquito
bites. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of
an infected mosquito; these mosquitoes
usually bite between dusk and dawn.
To avoid being bitten, remain indoors in a
screened or air-conditioned area during the
peak biting period. If out-of-doors, wear
long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats;
apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. |
Travelers to Central and South America,
Hispaniola, Africa, Asia (including the Indian
Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the
Middle East ), Eastern Europe, and the South
Pacific may be at risk for this potentially deadly
disease. Allow plenty of time before your trip,
any vaccinations needed need time to become
fully protective, which can take 4-6 weeks.
In addition, all the anti malarial drugs are
prescription drugs and you will need to start
taking them before travel.
Malaria Prevention or Cure ? Some drugs are used to treat malaria, after a
person has become infected. Other drugs are
used to prevent malaria. However some
malaria drugs are often used for both treatment and prevention.
Riamet (for instance) is used for treating
uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Malarone is used for prevention and treatment
Paludrine is normally used for prevention only.
When the same anti malarial drug may be used to
both treat malaria or prevent it, but you have
caught malaria in spite of using the correct drug,
a different product should be used to combat the
possibility of resistant parasites.
Use insect repellents that contain DEET
(diethylmethyltoluamide) for best protection
against mosquitoes and other biting insects. |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommend that travelers to certain
areas of the world with malaria risk should
take different anti malaria drugs because
some strains of the parasite have built up
an immunity in some areas of the world.
For Africa, South America, Indian subcontinent, Asia and the South Pacific:
Take one of the anti malarial drugs: atovaquone/proguanil: brand Malarone™
doxycycline, mefloquine: brand name Lariam™
primaquine (only in special circumstances)
Atovaquone/proguanil For Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and certain countries in Central America, Middle East, and Eastern Europe:
Chloroquine: brand Nivaquine™ or Aralen™
Hydroxychloroquine / Quineprox:
brand Plaquenil ™
Note:
In malaria-risk areas where hydroxychloroquine
is the recommended drug but cannot be taken,
atovaquone / proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine,
or primaquine can be used.
Your health care provider will decide which
anti malarial drug (s) are the right ones for
you and your family. |
A medical condition may prevent you from
taking a particular anti malarial drug.
Children's dosages are based on age and
weight and need to be carefully calculated.
Take your anti malarial drug exactly on
schedule. Missing or delaying doses may
increase your risk of getting malaria.
It is important to continue taking your drug
as recommended after leaving a malaria zone.
4 weeks for: mefloquine / doxycycline / chloroquine
7 days for:
atovaquone / proguanil / primaquine
Overdose of Malaria Drugs Over dosage of an anti malarial drug can be
fatal. Keep drugs in childproof containers out
of the reach of children.
Purchase your anti malaria drugs
BEFORE traveling overseas.
Halofantrine (also called Halfan) is widely
used outside the USA to treat malaria.
However: CDC recommends NOT to take Halfan
because of serious heart-related side effects,
including deaths. You should avoid using
anti malaria drugs that are not recommended
unless you have been diagnosed with life
threatening malaria and no other treatment
options are available. |
"Malaria-Proof" Mosquito Bioengineered In Lab
A team of US scientists has bioengineered the world's first malaria-proof mosquito: they said their new genetically modified mosquito has 100 per cent immuni... view more >A team of US scientists has bioengineered the world's first malaria-proof mosquito: they said their new genetically modified mosquito has 100 per cent immunity to the malaria parasite, rendering it incapable of spreading the disease to humans. They hope one day that wild mosquitoes will be replaced with malaria-proof strains, effectively wiping out a disease that kills 1 million people worldwide every year, most of them children... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
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Nigeria: Taking the Fight Against Malaria to Schools
Nigeria joined the entire world in celebrating the World Malaria Day on Sunday April 25. The event was intended to assess the efforts in combating the scourg... view more >Nigeria joined the entire world in celebrating the World Malaria Day on Sunday April 25. The event was intended to assess the efforts in combating the scourge of malaria, a tropical disease that has overtime led to global loss of lives and financial resources. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)
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NIH Funds 10 International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research
In an effort to accelerate the control of malaria and help eliminate it worldwide, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of... view more >In an effort to accelerate the control of malaria and help eliminate it worldwide, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced approximately $14 million in first-year funding to establish 10 new malaria research centers around the world. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)
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Antibiotics could help control malaria: study
LONDON (Reuters) - People at high risk of malaria may benefit from taking a cocktail of antibiotics as a preventative step, according to the results of a stu... view more >LONDON (Reuters) - People at high risk of malaria may benefit from taking a cocktail of antibiotics as a preventative step, according to the results of a study in mice. (Source: Reuters: Health)
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Malaria-like disease appearing in New York
VALHALLA, N.Y., July 26 (UPI) -- Babesiosis, a rare malaria-like disease commonly transmitted by infected deer ticks, is on the rise in the Lower Hudson Vall... view more >VALHALLA, N.Y., July 26 (UPI) -- Babesiosis, a rare malaria-like disease commonly transmitted by infected deer ticks, is on the rise in the Lower Hudson Valley in New York, doctors say.
New York - Hudson Valley - Babesiosis - United States - Infectious disease (Source: Health News - UPI.com) MedWorm Message: Register for MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network, and receive $5 free advertising.
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