If you are travelling to a country where there is a risk of catching Malaria you should visit us. Here at VSM Pharmacy we can discuss what malaria tablets you need and when you should start taking them.
Malaria is a disease which passes to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. The bite contains sporozoites. These sporozoites enter the liver and infect the liver cells. Once they are in the liver cells, they develop into schizonts. These parasites can convert into around 30,000 merozoites which live in your bloodstream.
Each merozoite is capable of infecting one red blood cell. The parasite then divides inside the red blood cells which enables it to infect more red blood cells. This is how you get malaria.
Malaria symptoms usually take between 7 and 18 days to appear, but sometimes the symptoms don’t appear for months or years, although this is rare. If you have the following symptoms between 7 and 18 days after a mosquito bite, then you should seek medical assistance.
Your skin or the whites of your eyes may appear yellow, and you might feel very tired and find it hard to stay awake.
Follow the ABCD steps if you are travelling to a high-risk area. The steps are.
A – Awareness of risk
B – Bite Prevention
C – Chemoprophylaxis (malaria tablets) Taking the appropriate tablets and following the instructions
D – Diagnosis – Get a diagnosis and treatment fast
A doctor will treat malaria with medication that kills the parasites in your bloodstream. Some people may relapse which means you will need further treatment.
Infected mosquitos are found in tropical regions. West Africa is a high-risk region and it’s the place where most travellers from the UK have been diagnosed. But you’ll also need protection if you travel to:
They are attracted to the carbon dioxide that is produced from your breath and through your skin. They also smell perfumes and soaps. Movement and lactic acid, which is produced when you move also attracts mosquitos.
You should wear trousers and long-sleeved loose clothing. Your accommodation should have doors and windows fitted with mosquito screens. Or you should sleep under a mosquito net that is treated with an insecticide. Use an insecticide containing DEET if possible, on your skin and clothes.
The best way to protect yourself though is to take anti-malarial tablets.How do you take the tablets?
It depends on the type of malaria tablet you take. But most tablets are taken between 7 days and 2 days before you travel and then between 1 week and 4 weeks after you return from your visit.
The best thing to do is make an appointment, at the Travel Clinic here at VSM Pharmacy. At the appointment we can talk to you about your travel plans and your requirements for tablets and/or vaccinations.
We’ll advise you what type of malaria tablets you should take and let you know whether you are at risk by travelling. For example, people who don’t have a functioning spleen are normally advised not to travel unless it is unavoidable.
You can make an appointment online, give us a call or pop into the pharmacy and speak to a member of staff.
If you go to certain countries you may need a Yellow Fever vaccination or a certificate to show that you have already had the vaccination.
Yellow Fever is a virus that comes from infected mosquitos and the best way to protect yourself is by having a vaccination.
You can catch Typhoid from contaminated food or water. If you’re plannning to visit a country where typhoid is a risk then protect yourself by having a typhoid vaccination at our Travel Clinic.
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