Malaria is caused by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito and can be fatal so it is essential you adopt some kind of malaria prevention when travelling. This disease is found in the tropical and sub tropical regions and some areas are becoming resistant to anti malaria medication. The first line of prevention must be bite avoidance by use of insect repellents, covering arms and legs when going out, the use of mosquito nets at night etc.
Preventative medicines must also be taken. The usual anti malaria medications are:
For high risk areas:
For other malarious areas:
The above medication can be bought at any pharmacy and dependent on the country of visit, it may be a combination of both or Chloroquine on it's own.
The regime of some of the anti malaria medication require it to be started at least 2 weeks prior to entering a malaria area, taking it all the time whilst in the area and continuing 4 weeks after leaving the country. It is very important to complete the course to ensure that the total life cycle of the plasmodium parasite once in the body, has been covered.