Protecting Yourself Against Malaria

It is important to seek advice from your healthcare professional if you are travelling to a malarious destination.

One of the most straightforward ways of remembering how to protect against malaria is following the ABCD guide, set by the Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention.

Awareness of risk

All travellers to malarious areas must:

• Be aware of the risk of malaria in the areas they visit
• Take action to reduce the risk
• Seek immediate medical attention in the event of fever or flu like symptoms

Bites - prevent or avoid

Prevention is better than cure so all travellers to malarious areas should take personal protection measures to prevent or avoid mosquito bites:

• Try and keep their skin covered up particularly between sunset and sunrise
• Use an insect repellent on clothes and any exposed skin
• If sleeping in an unscreened room a mosquito net [which should be impregnated with insecticide] is a sensible precaution
• While air conditioning does help keep the mosquitoes away due to the lower temperature, it is important that it is left on all day and windows are not left open at night

Compliance with appropriate chemoprophylaxis

Most deaths occur in those who take antimalarials irregularly or not at all:

• Malaria can be prevented with the correct use of antimalarials
• Not all antimalarials are the same when it comes to side effects, duration of course and cost
• Travellers should seek advice from their GP, practice nurse or pharmacist well in advance of travelling

Diagnose breakthrough of malaria swiftly and obtain treatment promptly

Travellers should be aware of the symptoms of malaria, even after returning from a malarious country:

• If malaria is suspected, a medical professional should be consulted as quickly as possible for prompt treatment

Antimalarials

• Unlike some other diseases which affect travellers, there is no vaccine to help prevent malaria. In many areas, travellers are often advised to take antimalarials to reduce the chance of contracting malaria. They will also be advised to take precautions to prevent themselves from being bitten in the first place.
• Along with bite avoidance measures, antimalarials (sometimes known as prophylaxis or chemoprophylaxis) are required every time you travel to a malarious area.
• Taken as recommended, antimalarials are 90 – 100% effective, but must always be used with bite avoidance measures such as insect repellent and mosquito netting. All antimalarials need to be taken before, during, and after your travels to ensure they give protection against malaria. It is essential that you take antimalarials as instructed and complete the course.
• In some areas of the world, the malaria parasite has developed resistance to some antimalarial medications. It is very important that you get up to date information from a healthcare professional to make sure that you take the right antimalarial for the region in which you are travelling.
• Many people are put off taking antimalarials because of side effects and think these may be worse than contracting malaria. However, malaria can be fatal and kills on average nine British travellers a year. It may hospitalise you and can seriously affect your health and lifestyle. It is important to talk through any concerns that you have with your healthcare professional - if they recommend antimalarials for your trip, they will help find one that is right for you.
• Antimalarials are only one component of the ABCD of protection against malaria, so follow them all and have a great malaria free trip!