Managing Malaria

Malaria is a protozoan disease transmitted by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquito. Mosquitoes tend to bite at dusk,dawn and night,hence try avoiding going outside after sunset without protective clothing. During the evening,wear light-coloured clothes with long sleeves. If you can,sleep in a room with screens on the windows and doors. Use insect repellents containing DEET (10-35 per cent) or mosquito nets around your bed.

If you plan to travel to a country or place where malaria is endemic,you’ll probably take a medicine that may keep you from getting malaria. This is called “prophylactic” malaria medicine. But remember,no medicine can protect you 100 per cent. Prophylaxis must start at least,one week before departure and should be continued for four weeks after leaving the endemic area. Mefloquine is the prophylactic agent of choice. Chloroquine is the treatment of choice for benign human malarias. Quinine is the most widely used drug for severe falciparum malaria. Other drugs in use are

Mefloquine,Artesunate,Artemether,Sulfadoxine/ Pyrimethamine,Primaquine,Atovaquone-proguanil. Once you recover from malaria,take proper precautions if you are living in an endemic area,as highlighted earlier to prevent recurrence of infection.

The writer is senior consultant,Internal Medicine,Fortis Hospital,Mohali.