• The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites. The anopheles mosquito bites at night, mostly at dusk and dawn. Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants at night, as well as using mosquito repellent will help prevent mosquito bites.
• Mosquitoes can and will bite you while you are sleeping. If you are sleeping in an unscreened room or outside, a mosquito net treated with insecticide will help to deter bites.
• Contrary to common folk wisdom, garlic, Vitamin B and ultrasonic devices do not repel mosquitoes.
• Prophylactic anti-malarial treatments are available that will help fight off a malaria infection in the case of exposure. The type of anti-malarial and the dosage are dependent on the area(s) you are planning to visit, as malarial parasites in some areas have developed resistance to certain treatments.
• If you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms within a year of visiting a region where malaria is endemic, you should see a doctor immediately to determine whether you have malaria and to get treated immediately. Malaria is very treatable, but the best treatment is prevention.
General Information on Malaria
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information on Malaria
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