Medical Prevention and Treatment of Malaria
There are numerous medications available to treat malaria
but because none of the prophylactic regimens is 100% effective
it is always best to prevent mosquito bites altogether.
You should seek medical attention for any unexplained fever
during your trip or after your return (1-2 years). In many
parts of the world the malarious parasite has become resistant
to the standard prophylactic medication, chloroquine.
Other medications commonly used are mefloquine
and doxycycline. You may encounter other drugs being used
overseas. Your physicians may likely prescribe one of the
following regimens:
- Chloroquine - One tablet every week starting 2
weeks prior to departure and ending 4 weeks after return.
Primaquine may also be taken during the last 2 weeks.)
- Mefloquine -1 tablet every week starting 2 weeks
prior to departure and ending 4 weeks after return.
- Doxycycline - One tablet every day while in malarious
area starting 2 days before and ending 4 weeks after return.
After you return, complete your malaria medication regimen
as indicated by your physician even if the symptoms have dissipated.
See your doctor if you develop the following symptoms within
a year after leaving an area prone to malaria: fever, headache,
chills, nausea, abdominal pain, and/or diarrhea. Tell your
doctor that you were in a malaria prone area.
Always remember that malaria can still develop in those
taking prophylaxis. Just because you took your medications
without ever missing a pill does not mean that you should
unequivocally rule out malaria. It is always better to be
safe than sorry.
Preventing
Malaria - An English informational site on various malaria
prevention issues. This site is sponsored by an English drug
company.
CDC's Malaria
page - This is Atlanta's The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention extensive page on malaria.
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