A

ABCD of malaria – A way to remember how to keep safe from malaria: Awareness (understand the risk and seriousness of malaria), Bite prevention (reduces the risk of malaria if the correct precautions are taken), Chemoprophylaxis (select the most appropriate drug and complete the course of tablets), Diagnosis (understand the symptoms of malaria and seek medical help immediately)

Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention – A committee which formulates guidelines on malaria prevention in the UK including antimalarial drug resistance, the use of antimalarial drugs and other malaria prevention methods

Anopheles mosquito - The female of this species of mosquito carries malaria from person to person via infected blood

Antimalarial - A type of medicine taken to prevent or cure malaria. Such medicine either inhibits or destroys malaria parasites

[Top]

C

Cerebral malaria – An acute, widespread disease of the brain which is accompanied by fever

Chemoprophylactic drug - Medicine taken before and after visiting a malarious area, designed to prevent the occurrence of the disease

Contract – Catch (specifically to catch a disease)

Chemoprophylaxis – The use of a chemical agent / medicine to prevent the development of a disease, such as malaria

[Top]

D

Debilitating disease – An illness that causes loss of strength or energy

DEET diethyltoluamide - Chemical found in insect repellent to deter insects from biting

Dengue fever – A viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Also known as 'Breakbone fever'. As well as helping to prevent malaria, good bite avoidance measures can help prevent Dengue fever as well

Department of Health – The government department responsible for public health issues in England

DVT - Deep vein thrombosis. This is a blood clot which forms in the deep veins of the body, usually in the leg

Dormant - Inactive but able to be reactivated

Dry season – An annually recurring period, in certain types of climate, during which rain is at a minimum for the region

[Top]

F

Falciparum malaria – The most dangerous type of malaria. Caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, this type of malaria can kill within 24 hours

Foreign and Commonwealth Office – The British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas. Also responsible for British citizens overseas

[Top]

G

GP (General Practitioner) – A physician whose practice is not oriented to a specific medical specialty but instead covers a variety of medical problems. A GP, nurse or travel clinic can provide travel health advice prior to travel to malarious countries

[Top]

H

Health Protection Agency – An independent body that monitors and protects the health and well-being of the UK population

Healthcare professional – Any person who delivers healthcare to someone in need of healthcare services. Appropriate healthcare professionals (e.g. GPs and nurses) can provide advice on preventing malaria

Hepatitis A - Very contagious disease that results in inflammation of the liver, usually caught by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by infected sewage. There are Hepatitis A vaccines to help prevent this disease

Hepatitis B – This disease is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine and semen. There are Hepatitis B vaccines to help prevent this disease

Homeopathic/herbal medications – Natural plants or plant-based substances used to treat a range of illnesses. Homeopathic and herbal medicines are not proven to work as treatment for, or prevention of, malaria and are not recommended

[Top]

I

Immunity – When a person is protected against a specific disease by inoculation or as the result of natural resistance

Infectious diseases – An illness that can be passed from one person to another

Insect repellent – Substance applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces which discourages insects (i.e. mosquitoes) and can help prevent malaria. Insect repellents should ideally contain up to 50% DEET and be applied to any exposed skin, always on top of a sunblock

Insecticide – A chemical (synthetic or organic) used to kill or repel insects

[Top]

L

Long-haul destinations – A country or region which requires a long period of time to get to. A long-haul traveller should always seek travel health advice before departing to avoid preventable diseases such as malaria

[Top]

M

Malaria – A preventable, life-threatening disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito

Malaria hotspot – A destination where malaria is prevalent

Malarious area - Area where you are at risk from malaria

Mosquito – Two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals. The female Anopheles mosquito is responsible for killing more than 1 million people worldwide every year by passing on malaria

Mosquito netting – A fine net or screen can be used to stop mosquitoes biting a person

[Top]

O

Ovale malaria – A form of malaria characterised by chills and spasms that usually ends spontaneously.

[Top]

P

Parasite – An organism which obtains food and shelter from another organism

Plasmodium – A type of parasite that causes malaria, of which there are five species found in humans: Plasmodium falciparum, the species which causes falciparum malaria, the most dangerous type of malaria; Plasmodium malariae, the species which causes quartan malaria; Plasmodium ovale, a species found primarily in East and Central Africa that causes ovale malaria; and Plasmodium vivax, the species causing vivax malaria which is milder than falciparum malaria. Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth major human malaria parasite commonly found in Southeast Asia, it may cause severe malaria

Practice Nurse – A registered nurse or an enrolled nurse retained by a general practice who can also provide general travel health advice, including prevention of malaria

Prescription – A signed request from a healthcare professional (eg GP, Nurse, Pharmacist) regarding supply instructions for medication(s)/device(s) for the patient.

Prophylaxis – A measure taken for the prevention of a disease or condition

[Top]

q

Quartan malaria – Caused by a malaria parasite (Plasmodium malariae) and marked by a recurrence of spasms at 72-hour intervals

[Top]

r

Rabies – A contagious fatal viral disease which affects the nervous system transmitted by a bite from an infected animal

[Top]

s

Side-effects – Unwanted reaction to medicinal treatment

[Top]

t

Typhoid – Typhoid fever is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. It is usually carried via water or by food contaminated with sewage. Vaccines are available to protect against the disease

Travellers diarrhoea (TD) – A condition characterised by a marked increase in the frequency of unformed bowel movements and can accompany abdominal cramps, urgency, nausea, bloating, vomiting and a fever. Usually occurs in European travellers who spend two or more weeks in developing parts of the world

Tropical diseases – Diseases, such as malaria, which are common in or unique to tropical and subtropical regions. Mosquitoes and flies are by far the most common carriers of these diseases

[Top]

U

Ultrasound device – A device intended to keep mosquitoes away by emitting a high frequency sound. It will not protect you against malaria

[Top]

V

Vaccination – Process (usually injection) by which you can become immune from the risk of developing a particular disease, even if you are exposed to it

VFR – Abbreviation of Visiting Friends and Relatives. Individuals whose families come from countries other than the UK, but live in the UK themselves. These individuals may return to their country of origin to visit friends or family

Vitamin B Group – A group of water soluble vitamins that have important roles in the body including production of red blood cells. These vitamins will not protect you against malaria.

Vivax – The parasite that causes the most common form of malaria

[Top]

w

World Health Organisation (WHO) – The directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations

Wet season – A season in which the average rainfall in a region is significantly increased

[Top]

Y

Yellow fever – A viral fever transmitted by infected mosquitoes which can cause jaundice, headache, vomiting and even death

[Top]