Malaria prevention

Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal, disease that you can catch from mosquito bites. There are different strains of malaria, and different strains affect different areas. If you're going to a part of the world where malaria is present, you will need protection.

• External link
• Malaria hotspots map

There are two ways to protect yourself against malaria - medication and mosquito avoidance.

• Malaria prevention - drugs
• Malaria prevention - mosquito avoidance

Malaria prevention - drugs

There are 6 main types of malaria drug. Some are only suitable to be taken for a short period of time (a month or less). Your travel nurse will help you choose one that is suitable for the area you are going to.

Doxcycline is a popular anti-malarial because it is an antibiotic, so it can help protect against other illnesses. It also has few side-effects and can be taken for a long period of time.

Larium is very effective, but unsuitable for those who have had mental health problems.

Buying your anti-malarials online is usually cheaper than getting them from the high-street chemist. You need a prescription, which you post to the pharmacy after placing your online order.

Anti-malarials do not give 100% protection against malaria. Be aware of the symptoms and get yourself to a doctor if you think you may have developed malaria. It is treatable.

Malaria prevention - mosquito avoidance

Avoiding mosquito bites is an essential part of malaria prevention.

Take plenty of mosquito repellent with you - many travellers recommend 100% DEET for effectiveness. Apply this on all exposed skin and reapply throughout the day.

Get a decent mosquito net - some are impregnated with mosquito-repellant. Pop-up ones are useful if you're camping. If you get a second-hand one, sew up any holes.

Mosquitoes are most active in the evening. When the sun goes down, cover as much skin as possible. Light-coloured clothes are less attractive to mosquitoes than dark. You might find that eating certain foods makes you less tasty to a mosquito, but this can be a matter of trial and error.

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