Malaria

Malaria is serious and it can be fatal. It is most commonly contracted after visiting a foreign country.

The anopheles mosquito transfers the plasmodium virus into the bloodstream when it bites. This is enough to develop full-blown malaria. The plasmodium parasite heads to the liver where it multiplies and invades red blood cells.

Australia does not have the type of mosquito that carries the plasmodium parasite but travellers can catch it when they take trips abroad. The places Australians are more likely to catch malaria are Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Indonesia.

Pregnant women should avoid malarial areas as it raises the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. The parasite may also affect early foetal development. There are few anti-malarial treatments suitable for pregnant women.

There are several types of plasmodium parasite and each has a different incubation period. Anti-malarial treatment can prevent all types.

• Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite that causes the majority of malarial deaths. It's the most prevalent species in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Plasmodium vivax is prevalent in South East Asia and Latin America.
• Plasmodium Ovale and Malariae cause few infections.
• Plasmodium Knowlesi infects primates and rarely leads to human malaria.

Malaria is most common in tropical areas with high humidity. The anopheles mosquito prefers these conditions and cannot survive in cold climates.

Areas that have the highest prevalence of anopheles mosquito and therefore the most malaria instances are:

• Areas of Africa and Asia
• Central and South America
• Haiti and the Dominican Republic
• Parts of the Middle East
• Some Pacific islands

Anti-malaria precautions should always be taken if you plan to travel in these areas.

Malaria resembles flu in the early stages but can lead to coma and death as it multiplies and destroys red blood cells throughout the body.

Symptoms include:

• A fever
• Headache
• Muscle pains
• Nausea
• Chills
• Shivering and shaking
• Excessive sweating
• Diarrhoea
• Bloody stools
• Exhaustion

If malaria is left untreated it leads to severe anaemia and jaundice. It then leads to confusion as blood vessels swell in the brain, fluid in the lungs, organ failure, low blood sugar and eventually coma and death.

Early symptoms of malaria usually appear between a week and 18 days after infection, but in some cases, it can lay dormant for up to a year.  Any traveller returning from a country that has malaria should seek immediate medical attention if they feel fluey or develop the above symptoms, even if this is weeks or months after their return.

The anopheles mosquito carries the plasmodium parasite which causes malaria. Being bitten by this mosquito can lead to malaria.

It is the female anopheles mosquito that spreads the parasite. They generally bite at dawn and dusk. Once in the bloodstream, the parasite moves through the cardiovascular system and into the liver where they multiply and destroy red blood cells. When red blood cells burst they spread further parasites into the bloodstream. Once this happens symptoms can occur quickly and rapidly escalate.

Rarely malaria is spread through sharing infected needles, a blood transfusion or organ transplant. Mothers can pass malaria onto the child during birth. This is known as congenital malaria. In contrast to a mosquito bite, these forms of transmission are rare.

It's not possible to catch malaria from another person by touching them, sharing utensils or carrying out everyday activities.

If you have been to a country that has malaria and you experience symptoms of malaria, seek prompt medical treatment. Anti-malarial medication is usually sufficient protection, but if you do have flu symptoms see a doctor immediately. They will give you a physical examination that checks for an enlarged spleen or liver and take a blood test to check for the parasite.

Malaria treatment depends on getting a quick diagnosis. Individuals who get the proper treatment will usually make a full recovery. Without treatment, malaria is a life-threatening disease. You may need a hospital stay as some malaria treatments are becoming ineffective as the parasite develops immunity. Some patients need more than one medication.

Treatment is an anti-malarial medication that is also used to prevent malaria. The type depends on what kind of malaria you have, how severe your symptoms are, where you caught malaria, whether or not you were taking preventative medication and if you are a woman, whether you are pregnant.

The best treatment for malaria is preventative medication. This can stop you developing malaria. There is no current vaccine so travellers to high risk areas should take prescription anti-malaria tablets. The tablets work by preventing the plasmodium's ability to reproduce.

Anti-malarial medication must be prescribed because it isn't suitable for everyone. It will be based upon where you're going, your medical history, your allergies, your current medications, your age and whether you've had reactions to anti malarial tablets in the past.

If you've had anti-malarial tablets in the past don't assume these will protect you on future trips. Your health may have changed and you need a medication that is suitable for your destination.

If you are heading to an area without medical care, you may be prescribed emergency treatments to take with you. Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are strongly advised to avoid travelling to countries with malaria. Malaria can cause severe complications in pregnancy and serious illness in others.

There are also some steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites and therefore malaria.

• Ensure you are aware of the malaria risk in your destination. You need to take prescription medication in advance of your arrival to protect yourself and your family.
• Anti-mosquito creams, sprays and lotions help repel the mosquito. You should use these at all times when you travel to malarial areas. Repellents contain DEET which the mosquito will avoid. Search for a sunscreen that contains mosquito repellent, but if you can't find one apply your DEET mosquito repellent after sunscreen.
• Eucalyptus oil may also repel biting insects but there is no clinical evidence this works.
• Use a mosquito net when you sleep at night. Mosquitoes are very active at night, in the early morning and dusk. Using a net impregnated with repellent helps keep you safe.
• Try to stay in a location with closely fitting doors, windows and air conditioning. Use door and windows screens.
• During the day wear long sleeves and trouser legs with elasticised wrists and ankles to prevent mosquitoes accessing your skin. Light loose fabrics are best as this can stop a mosquito biting through material.
• Don't assume that you are immune to malaria if you've had it before or grew up in a malarial country. Different mosquitoes and their parasites cause malaria and you won't have immunity to them all. If you leave a high risk area your natural immunity will fade, putting you at risk.

Malaria is still a dangerous condition that can make you and your family members seriously ill. If you are travelling abroad make sure you are aware of the malarial risks, take anti-malaria medications and protect yourself against bites.

If anyone develops flu symptoms on their travels, or for months after arriving home, seek immediate medical treatment.

Malaria is treatable if it is caught early, but the further the illness progresses the more dangerous it becomes. The best way to treat malaria is to take anti malaria tablets before, during and after your travels.