TravelVAX Vaccinations Clinic
MALARIA
FACT
in 2015, nearly half of the world’s population – 3.2 billion people – was at risk of Malaria.
VECTOR
Bite from a female Anopheles mosquito infected with malaria parasites called Plasmodium. There are different types of Plasmodium parasites that can cause malaria: falciparum,vivax, ovale, malariae and knowlesi
214 MILLION CASES
Worldwide annually.
SYMPTOMS
Fever, headache, chills, vomiting. Symptoms usually appear between 7 to 18 days, but can also take up to a year to develop.
SEVERE CASE:
Seizures, mental confusion, kidney failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, coma, and death The most important factors determining patient survival are early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
Awareness of the risk.
Involves several steps, known as the A, B, C, D of malaria prevention.
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Awareness of risk before travelling.
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Check whether chemoprophylaxis is needed (use appropriate malaria prevention tablets).
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Diagnosis (seek immediate medical attention is displaying symptoms).
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Bite prevention:
– Take the preventive measures when mosquitoes are most active, particularly from sunset to sunrise.
– Use a recommended insect repellent containing eitherIcardin (20%) or DEET
– Wear appropriate clothing (e.g.long sleeved shirt, long pants).
– Use physical barriers, such as bed nets and window screens.