Malaria kills over 600,000 people a year. It’s serious, it’s preventable, and if you’re travelling to a risk area, you need to take it seriously.
Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms: high fever, sweating, chills, headache, muscle pain, vomiting. Can become life-threatening within 24 hours.
Risk areas: Sub-Saharan Africa (highest), parts of India, border regions of Southeast Asia, Amazon basin.
Antimalarial options: Malarone (daily, well-tolerated, 7 days after return), Doxycycline (daily, affordable, sun sensitivity, 4 weeks after), Mefloquine (weekly, less common, potential neurological effects).
Bite prevention: DEET 50%, long sleeves after dark, treated nets, avoid standing water at dawn/dusk, permethrin-treated clothing.
If you develop a fever after returning from a risk area, seek medical attention immediately and tell them where you’ve been. This applies even if you took antimalarials.
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