Traveling abroad for the first time is often an enthralling experience for young travelers; it can be exhilarating to explore new cultures and diverse environments. Although all travel carries potential health risks, you will have to consider more carefully how to stay healthy if you are traveling to knowingly malaria-endemic areas abroad. Malaria is an acute febrile disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes and continues to be one of the leading causes of illness and death around the world. This guide aims to inform young travelers how to stay safe during their travels abroad to avoid malaria infection while opening up the world for them to explore.
1. Know Your Destination
Investigate the malaria risk in your destination before traveling. Being informed about the risk helps you prepare for different places that have different malaria risks. Take action Research the malaria risk in the region you’re traveling to.
- Malaria Risk: Does your destination have malaria? The answer lies in whether your intended country of travel falls in a malaria-endemic area. Most international travel medicine clinics provide this information or check the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites. Both organizations provide the latest information about the risks of malaria in an area at a particular time by country.
- Seasonal pattern: There are some areas with higher levels of risk because of seasonal factors. It’s recommended to recognize the seasonal pattern in advance and pay more attention to this occasion.
2. Consult a Healthcare Professional
Speak to a healthcare professional before traveling, to discuss prevention options. They will want to know more about your health status, your itinerary, and where you’re going, and can give you tailored advice. Questions to discuss include:
- Antimalarial Medications: Your doctor may prescribe antimalarial medications you should take before, during, and after your visit. These medications can prevent malaria if you contract the parasite while on vacation.
- Vaccinations: Although you can’t get vaccinated against malaria, make sure you’re current on other travel vaccinations as required.
3. Use Insect Repellents
Smelling nice is great. Keeping away mosquito bites is even better. Here’s how to use insect repellents:
- Pick the Right Repellent: Choose the ones with DEET or picaridin (an ingredient found in the product known as ‘Sactarium’), or oil of lemon eucalyptus as the active ingredient.
- Use Appropriately: Apply repellent on bare skin and clothing as directed on the label. Re-apply as needed, especially if you are sweating or swimming.
- Avoid Overuse: Use repellents sparingly and avoid applying them to broken or irritated skin.
4. Wear Protective Clothing
If you are wearing the right kind of clothes, mosquitoes will be less likely to bite you. Here are some tips on keeping bugs away from you:
- Pile on the clothes: Cover up as much as possible with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Mosquitoes also prefer light-colored clothing.
- Treat Clothing: users can treat clothing with insect-repellent permethrin to add extra protection.
5. Sleep Under Insecticide-Treated Nets
If you are staying in an environment where mosquitoes might be an issue, there’s a lot you can do with an insecticide-treated net (ITN). Here are your best options for making an ITN work for you:
- Don’t let the bed bugs bite: put the net securely over your bed with the hem under the mattress to stop the mosquitoes from getting in.
- Look for Holes: Check the net frequently for holes or tears, and fix any that you find.
6. Avoid Mosquito-Prone Areas
Minimize your exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding areas where they are most active:
- Stay indoors at peak times: Mosquitoes transmit malaria primarily between dusk and dawn. If you can, stay inside at these hours.
- Don’t let standing water collect – mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so if you have a pond or uncovered containers around your house, be sure to keep them covered.
7. Practice Good Hygiene and Health Habits
Maintaining good hygiene and health practices can also help reduce your risk of malaria:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. This is especially important in hot climates. Avoid drinking water that has not been treated.
- Medical Attention: If you get ill with a fever, chills, or any flu-like symptoms while outdoors, get medical care promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance.
8. Educate Yourself About Local Health Services
Familiarize yourself with local health services in your destination:
- Identify where you can go for assistance: locate the nearest health facilities or clinics providing malaria treatments and care.
- Sustain Necessary Drops: Have a list of your emergency contacts and health centers with you always. This will come in handy in case of a health emergency.
9. Engage in Local Malaria Prevention Efforts
Participate in local malaria prevention efforts to help protect yourself and the community:
- Follow Local Guidelines: Follow local malaria prevention protocols or guidelines issued by health authorities.
- Help at the Local Level: Volunteer or donate to local efforts at home to prevent malaria.
10. Prepare for Post-Travel Health Check-Up
After returning, you could check on your health and, if you need, medical support:
Monitor Symptoms: Watch for malaria symptoms for several weeks after you return. Symptoms could develop up to a month after exposure.
Check-Up: If you had symptoms on your trip or after your trip, visit a healthcare provider and tell him/her that you just traveled from a malaria-endemic area.
For those headed to malaria-endemic areas, getting sick or – even worse – dying is far from ideal. By paying attention to the risks, using protective tools such as insect repellents and ITNs, and researching local health services, you can substantially reduce your risk of malaria during your upcoming trip. Check in with your healthcare provider before you go, adhere to local practices, and pay attention to your health before, during, and after your visit. Bon voyage! Visit www.MalariaJournal.com/Carmichael to access downloadable tools for minimizing the risk of malaria when traveling.