STOP! Don't travel until you learn about Malaria symptoms, identifying insect bites and mosquito nets

Before you travel, do a little research on Malaria symptoms. With a few preventative measures, you can decrease your chances of getting sick on your next trip.

Let this online guide help you in identifying insect bites. Find out more about potentially deadly diseases and Malaria symptoms.

The most information on the history of mosquito hosted diseases like Malaria, with a guide to medication, pills, mosquito nets and more easy tips on avoiding and identifying insect bites.

Read more to find out what the Malaria symptoms are and what parts of the world are considered high risk.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious epidemic, affecting 300-500 million people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million people die from Malaria each year.

Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the number one source for spreading this infectious disease.

A mosquito ingests the Malaria parasites from infected blood and then becomes a host for the disease. As the mosquito feeds on the next body, it continues to spread the disease.

Well known examples of this phenomenon are found in countries like Africa, South East Asia, India, Southern China, Latin America, Haiti and some of the Pacific Islands.

Malaria is sometimes passed on from a mother to her fetus through the blood in the umbilical cord.

The Science of Malaria

Malaria species are basically microscopic parasites that invade the body through the blood stream.

Malaria is part of the Plasmodium family, with 4 different species that cause disease:

• P. Falciparum
• P. Vicvax
• P. Ovale
• P. Malariae

Once the Malaria parasites enter the blood stream, they travel directly to the liver. Inside the cells of the liver the parasites feed, grow and reproduce.

Soon the red blood cells explode, releasing toxins and the parasites throughout the entire body.

Warning Travelers

Malaria is often associated with third world countries like South America and Africa. Some people believe that Malaria is not a problem for western countries like the United States.

The reality is that Malaria currently affects 103 countries around the world and more than 40% of the world’s population is at risk. It’s a little known fact that 1,200 people in the United States become infected with Malaria every year.

Many of these people are travelers who have returned from high risk areas like India or Saharan Africa.

It’s important that travelers take precautionary measures before they travel, such as anti-malarial drugs.

Other means of prevention include avoiding and identifying insect bites. Sleeping fully clothed in screened areas, or using mosquito nets will help protect you from mosquitoe bites.

Carrying strong mosquito repellent, like DEET, in your backpack can be a life-saving measure.

Malaria Symptoms

Malaria primarily resides in the liver for a while before the patient notices any symptoms. The incubation period is 10 days to 4 weeks.

If you have Malaria symptoms, you will experience flu-like symptoms such as chills, shaking, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue.

If the Malaria symptoms are more severe, you may experience sudden diarrhea and feel nauseated. Due to the loss of red blood cells you may also become anemic.

The species P. Falciparum is extremely dangerous and can lead to kidney failure, seizures and coma. Malaria symptoms should be taken seriously, as it can be fatal.

There have been reported cases where the species P. Vivax and P. Ovale have caused relapses in a patient. Therefore, it can be concluded that Malaria can rest in the system for an undetermined amount of time before it causes illness.

Prevention

Taking a few precautionary measures before you travel may save your life. Indentifying insect bites and using mosquito nets are just two of the easiest ways to be prepared.

More importantly, see your doctor about taking antimalarial drugs, like Lariam. Also ask about receiving vaccinations for other mosquito related illnesses.

Here are some tips for proper anti-malarial treatment:

• Never miss a dose
• Ingest on schedule
• Use secondary protection

When you combine Lariam with DEET insect repellent, mosquito nets and long sleeved clothing, you dramatically reduce your chances of becoming infected with Malaria.

Ensure that you are protected from mosquito bites on your trip by:

• Checking for holes in your net
• Avoiding night time walks
• Using pyrethrum-containing repellents

Lemon eucalyptus oil is a natural alternative to insect repellent. In high risk areas, both should be used.

Treatment of Malaria

Due to the incubation period of Malaria, it is recommended that you watch for any flu-like symptoms for up to one year after traveling in Malaria zones.

If you suspect that you are infected with Malaria, see your doctor immediately. You can be diagnosed through a blood analysis that looks for parasites.

Fortunately, Malaria can be treated with prescription drugs. Read the rest of this site for more on mosquito protection and control.

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Also see: [ Mosquito Netting ] [ Outdoor Mosquito Control Products ]