Think you don't need to bother with GP prescribed malaria tablets or prefer to take the complementary approach? Think again. Malaria is a serious mosquito-born disease that affects between 250-500 million people throughout the world each year. Because it is rare in the UK it is easy to forget about this health hazard, but if you are travelling to endemic areas you need to take strict precautions – both against mosquitoes themselves to minimise bites, and against malaria in case you are bitten by an infected mozzie. According to the BBC website about 2,000 Britons return from holiday each year with the disease.
Cause
Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite called Plasmodium, of which four different species can affect humans. Each species spends part of its life-cycle in the female Anopheles mosquito, and the other part in humans. Once in our blood stream, the parasites quickly invade the liver where they multiply, before entering red blood cells and multiplying further. Infected red blood cells eventually rupture, producing the typical symptoms of malaria. Other mosquitoes can then also become infected by biting someone carrying the parasite, and pass it on to other humans.
Prevention
Prevention is vital. When travelling abroad, always check what anti-malaria medication you need to help protect you from the disease. These should usually start one week before travel. You should continue taking them while you are in at-risk areas, and for three to four weeks after leaving. Recommended regimes may change so always consult a pharmacist or doctor, and obtain your tablets two to three weeks before leaving on holiday. Check what vaccinations are recommended too.
Symptoms
The symptoms of malaria are initially similar to flu, but rapidly become much worse. Sufferers develop a high fever, recurrent bouts of feeling cold and shivery, hot flushes, profuse sweating, dizziness, aches and pains and often become delirious. Fever comes on in a regular cycle, every few days – when the parasite matures and red blood cells rupture - and may lie dormant or recur even after treatment. Serious complications can occur making the disease deadly in some cases.
Is there an alternative?
An investigation by BBC2's Newsnight has revealed some homeopathic practices tell people they need not take conventional anti-malaria drugs in high-risk parts of the world. Instead, the clinics say that their remedies are sufficient to protect against malaria. However this is very ill-advised. Complementary approaches should only be used as well as anti-malaria drugs, not instead of, to reduce the risk of being bitten. Garlic powder tablets taken daily can work well – mosquitoes do not like the garlic scent that enters your sweat as a result. Other natural insect repellents include applying diluted citronella, lemon eucalyptus, Neem tree or tea tree essential oils to the skin. These strong aromas make it less easy for mosquitoes and midges to find a host.
