In this Article

• What is malaria?
• How is malaria transmitted?
• Where is malaria a particular problem?
• What are the signs and symptoms of malaria?
• What is the incubation period for malaria?
• How is malaria diagnosed?
• How is malaria treated?
• Is malaria a particular problem during pregnancy?
• Is malaria a particular problem for children?
• How do I keep from getting malaria?
• What other precautions should I take to avoid malaria?
• Where can I get more information about malaria?
• Patient Discussions: Malaria - Symptoms and Signs Experienced
• Malaria Glossary
• Malaria Index

What other precautions should I take to avoid malaria?

If possible, avoid travel to or through countries where malaria occurs. If you must go to areas where malaria occurs, take the prescribed preventive medicine. In addition, the 2008 CDC international travel recommendations suggest the following precautions be taken in malaria infested areas:

• Avoid exposure to mosquitoes during the early morning and early evening hours between the hours of dusk and dawn (the hours of greatest mosquito activity).



• Wear appropriate clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants, for examples) especially when you are outdoors.



• Apply insect repellent to the exposed skin. The CDC recommended insect repellent should contains up to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which is the most effective mosquito repellent for adults and children over 2 months of age.



• Spray mosquito repellents on clothing to prevent mosquitoes from biting through thin clothing.



• Use a permethrin-coated (or similar repellant) mosquito net over your all beds.



• Have screens over cover windows and doors.



• Spray permethrin or a similar insecticide in the bedroom before going to bed.

Where can I get more information about malaria?

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/history/index.htm#discoverymalariaparasite

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/biology/life_cycle.htm

http://gis.hhs.gov/website/mrisk9/viewer.htm

http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/malaria.htm

http://www.malariasite.com/malaria/history_parasite.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm#4

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/clinicians2.htm

Malaria - Symptoms and Signs Experienced

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