Summer, Travel and Medication – Part 5 – Malaria
Prevention of malaria.
The anopheles mosquito stings only between sundown and the rising of the sun. There are some very effective precautions possible to avoid being stung by the mosquitoes: wear light colored clothing, covering the arms and legs; sleep under a mosquito net that has been impregnated with special substances like permethrine or deltamethrine; cover the exposed parts of the body every four to six hours with an insect repellant, preferably one on a DEET basis (Diëthyltoluamide). The optimal concentration of DEET lies between 20 and 50%. Pregnant women and children are advised to use the 20% concentration. It is also advisable, especially for pregnant women and children to wash of any remaining insect repellant, once protection is no longer needed.
Medication
Anti-malaria medication has a lot of contra-indications as well as a lot of adverse effects. Prevention of malaria through medication is not simple since resistance has developed … Read more