I have been invited to goon a mission to Africa with my church youth group, and I have been advised that we may be traveling through a malaria infected area. What precautions would you advise?

Debra K.

Dear Debra,

Malaria is a disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Malaria symptoms can occur as early as 7 - 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms are flu-like; chills with violent shivering, a high temperature and sweating.

Other symptoms may include: headache, muscle aches, anemia, jaundice and fatigue. If you come down with flu-like symptoms during your trip, within six weeks - or even up to one year after your visit to a malaria area, seek medical help immediately and advise the physician of your travel history.

The following precautions protect against being bitten by a mosquito:

1. Take malaria tablets before, during and after the trip

Consult a Travel Clinics of America physician before your trip. The physician will review your medical history in order to determine what brand of malaria medications would be best for you because these medicines affect everyone differently.  In addition, certain malaria pills are not effective in certain regions of the world. It is also important to review potential side effects when you meet with your travel medicine physician.  For more information on available medications go to Travel Clinics of America, as well as contact information for travel medicine physicians.

2. Cover up, long sleeves, trousers, shoes and socks

Mosquito's are particularly active from dusk, through the night and during the early morning hours so it is important to make sure you are covered up. Mosquito's cannot bite through material, so it is important to wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks and shoes. Exposed skin is vulnerable.

3. Carry mosquito repellent and apply it frequently

Apply mosquito repellent to any areas of skin that are not covered by clothing, particularly your hands and neck. Repellents that contain DEET will keep mosquitoes away, but need to be reapplied frequently because their protection diminishes over time.

4. Take along a mosquito net treated with insecticide

In malaria affected areas, most accommodations have mosquito nets already installed, but it might be a good idea to have one handy. It is important that these nets are treated with permethrin a residual insecticide. This treatment not only repels mosquitoes, but also prevents mosquitoes from biting through the material.

All of these simple precautions can dramatically reduce your malaria risk. Schedule a visit you’re your local Travel Clinics of America physician before your trip and make sure to travel healthy.

Travel healthy, travel smart, Travel Clinics of America,

Alla Kirsch, MD

NOTE: For more information regarding malaria, go to these articles by Michael Kirsch, MD. Also, TravelClinicsofAmerica.com has several articles of other travel related diseases, including: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A & B, and swine flu (H1N1).