- First of all you should check if the area you are going to visit is actual malaria infested. Remember – there are large parts of Africa which are malaria free!
- If you are going to visit a malaria infested area consult a doctor or a travel clinic. They will provide you with all kinds of info about the medication to take.
- Listen properly to what the doc is telling you and follow this. Stick to the schedule without forgetting to take your pill(s).
- Get yourself a mosquito net. They are not uber expensive and usually very light.
- Get yourself a mosquito repellent once you are there. Ask at a local pharmacy for their best selling one and you'll get a good one.
- Mosquito coils are usually doing a good job. They are burning for up to eight hrs. and Mosquito hate them. OK, some people don't like the smell of it, but you should give it a try!
- Never forget that mosquitos are attracted to light. Switch off the light when going to bed and keep reading in bed to a minimum as the light of your torch will also attracted those nasty little creatures.
- Clothing – shorts and shirts are no problem at all during the day, but during dusk and dawn you should wear long trouser and a jumper/long sleeve. Mosquitos are most active during dusk and dawn.
- You are on safari and not on a big night out, so don't use too much perfume / after shave. Mosquitoes are more attracted to it than anyone else around you.
- Stick to the rules, don't forget to take your medication and don't think that you will not get Malaria just because you just read this list!
Typical symptoms of malaria are:
- fever
- chills
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteIt is really better if we prevent malaria. With these precautionary measures we can get rid of malaria.But, before it became severe, you have to check yourselves. You can use elisa kit to determine whether you are infected or not.
Hi, Good advice☺. Can I just add that people should be very careful about what medication they take. I lived in Africa for many years and have had malaria several times but I would still rather have malaria than suffer some of the side effects of LARIUM (Mefloquin) that I have witnessed first hand, most notably pshycosis. There are many good prophylactics with fewer side effects so don't let your doctor tell you otherwise!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have heard that some colors attract mosquitos more than others and that we shouldn't wear light colors, is that true?
Also, is it possible to take prophylactics for years? I've heard it can cause definitive damages if taken on the long term. I have already experienced Malarone and had no side effects, however it is very expensive and I was thinking of taking Larium...I am speaking of european prices (france) though. Are those medicine a lot less expensive if bought in Africa? I am asking all that because I am currently looking for a job in Africa :)
Thanks!
Bright, floral colors attract mosquitoes. Khaki, beige, and olive are better color choices as they have no particular attraction for mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to take prophylactics for years? > best thing to do is to talk to a travel doc/clinic. They should know it!
Thank you Seb!
ReplyDeleteno prob ;-)
ReplyDeleteI've not got too much advice to give except wrap up as best you can. I also found that the mosquitoes aren't fond of tobacco smoke (probably due to it's toxicity) make friends with a smoker! or alternatively avoid other health issues and invest in some malaria tablets!
ReplyDelete