Handy Tips to Prevent Malaria While Travelling Abroad

Malaria along with being serious can be fatal as well if not treated. When an infected female anopheles mosquito bites a human she spreads infection in the red blood cells. This infection flares up and leads to fever with chills and sweating. These symptoms of malaria can be treated easily if diagnosed at an early stage but become difficult at an advanced stage. This is because the parasites keep reproducing and in turn leave the body prone to further infections.

When travelling, it is of utmost importance to prevent yourself from malaria. Surely, you don’t want to ruin a holiday by falling ill. The adventurous traveller might have to cross a malaria prone zone at some point especially, if you are travelling to the sub-tropical areas or the Eastern Europe. Every year approximately 2,000 British travellers return home with malaria.

Here are some handy tips to keep in mind for the prevention of malaria while you are travelling

Check the destination for presence of Malaria: When finalizing the destination for your holiday, make sure you assess whether there is presence of malaria or not. This helps you to decide whether you really want to go to that destination or choose another one. You can also opt for a place where malaria is not widespread.

Take antimalarial drugs: If malaria is rampant in the destination you are planning to visit, taking antimalarial drugs can go a long way. Consult your GP before travel for an antimalarial drug based on your travel itinerary and medical history. Some antimalarial drugs can be started a day before travel and so last-minute travellers can still benefit from our online GP consultation facility before travelling.

Prevent Mosquito Bites: Travellers can easily avoid mosquito bites by staying indoors during the day, wear full-sleeved shirt and trousers when outside. Application of mosquito repellent prevents the mosquitoes from biting. Avoiding mosquito bites can prevent malaria.

Nothing is fool proof: Even if you use insect repellents, do not go out in daytime, wear full sleeved clothes and take your medication as directed by the doctor, as there are still chances of getting malaria. The symptoms of malaria appear as soon as 7 days after a mosquito bites and as late as 3-12 months after you return from your holiday.

So while travelling if you remember these tips you can easily avoid malaria. Also, you can discuss about the best options with our online GP. The online GP consultation allows you to enjoy your holiday rather than worry about malaria. The online surgery also offers anti-malarial medication like Malarone, Lariam and Avloclor Tablets. These can easily be purchased online to avoid last minute run to the medical store.