find out whether you need malaria prevention. before you travel talk with your prescriber about your travel plans to determine whether you need to take medicine to prevent malaria. even in countries where malaria is present there may be areas of the country that are free of malaria. in general malaria is more common in rural (country) areas than in big cities and it is more common during rainy seasons when mosquitoes are most common. you can get information about the areas of the world where malaria occurs from the cdc and from local authorities in the countries you visit. if possible plan your travel to reduce the risk of malaria. take medicine to prevent malaria infection. without malaria prevention medicine you have a higher risk of getting malaria. malaria starts with flu-like symptoms such as chills fever muscle pains and headaches. however malaria can make you very sick or cause death if you don't seek medical help immediately. these symptoms may disappear for a while and you may think you are well. but the symptoms return later and then it may be too late for successful treatment. malaria can cause confusion coma and seizures. it can cause kidney failure breathing problems and severe damage to red blood cells. however malaria can be easily diagnosed with a blood test and if caught in time can be effectively treated. if you get flu-like symptoms (chills fever muscle pains or headaches) after you return from a malaria area get medical help right away and tell your health care provider that you may have been exposed to malaria. people who have lived for many years in areas with malaria may have some immunity to malaria (they do not get it as easily) and may not take malaria prevention medicine. this does not mean that you don't need to take malaria prevention medicine. protect against mosquito bites. medicines do not always completely prevent your catching malaria from mosquito bites. so protect yourself very well against mosquitoes. cover your skin with long sleeves and long pants and use mosquito repellent and bednets while in malaria areas. if you are out in the bush you may want to pre-wash your clothes with permethrin. this is a mosquito repellent that may be effective for weeks after use. ask your prescriber for other ways to protect yourself.
what should i know about preventing malaria?