A Guide on Treating Malaria with Antimalarials for a Safe Travel
Antimalarials prevent malaria and getting them before travel is imperative. Mistrys Pharmacy near Market Harborough brings you complete information on the importance of antimalarials for travel. You need the correct information and medicine to protect yourself on your holidays.
What is the Use of Antimalarial Drugs?
Antimalarials, also known as antimalarial drugs, are medications used to prevent and treat malaria. Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease whose primary cause is the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Considering the pathology, antimalarials kill the malaria parasites in the blood or stop their growth and replication.
In addition to malaria, antimalarials are also effective in treating other conditions, such as:
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Other autoimmune diseases
However, it is important to note that you should only take antimalarials under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
What are Some Examples of Antimalarial Drugs?
Antimalarials are essential for preventing and treating malaria, but several effective options are available. Thus, if you plan to travel to a malaria-endemic area, you must consult a healthcare professional to determine the best antimalarial drug for your needs.
Several antimalarial drugs have their unique mechanism of action and side effects. Nevertheless, some common examples include the following:
- Chloroquine
- Mefloquine
- Atovaquone-proguanil
- Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)
- Primaquine
Yet, it is important to note that the best antimalarial drug for a particular individual will depend on several factors, including:
- Type of malaria parasite present
- Individual’s medical history and any underlying conditions
- Individual’s travel itinerary and destination.
What is the Best Way to Prevent Getting Malaria?
Malaria is a serious infectious disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. While there is no surefire way to prevent malaria, several effective measures can reduce the risk of infection.
These measures include:
- Sleeping under a mosquito bed net is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of malaria, as the net physically blocks mosquitoes from reaching you while you sleep.
- Wearing long sleeves and full pants, especially during peak mosquito-biting hours, can help to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
- Applying an insect repellent that contains DEET or another effective ingredient to exposed skin can help to keep mosquitoes at bay.
- Taking an antimalarial drug can help to reduce the risk of infection.
What Countries do you Need Antimalarials for?
Antimalarial drugs are important for travellers visiting certain countries where the risk of malaria transmission is high.
Some examples of countries where antimalarial drugs may be necessary include:
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- India
- Brazil
- Papua New Guinea.
But, it’s important to check the specific malaria risk in the areas you will be travelling to and visit a travel clinic at least 4 weeks before you travel.
What are the Symptoms of Malaria?
An estimate proves that malaria affects over 200 million people yearly, and many travellers visit malaria-endemic areas.
Therefore, recognising the symptoms of malaria is critical for early diagnosis and treatment, as the disease progresses rapidly and leads to serious complications (if left untreated).
The following are the common symptoms of malaria:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anaemia
- Joint and muscle aches.
Meanwhile, it would be best if you kept in mind that the symptoms of malaria may not appear for several weeks after exposure to the parasite and that some people may not experience any symptoms at all.
So, the only way to keep yourself safe is to be aware of the preventive measures.
Where Can I Get Antimalarials in Market Harborough?
If you’re travelling to a malaria-endemic area, antimalarial drugs reduce the risk of infection. The good news is that Mistrys Pharmacy in Market Harborough is an ideal place to get them.
The pharmacy offers a wide range of antimalarial medications, including both prescription and over-the-counter options. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine the best antimalarial drug for your needs.
In addition to antimalarial drugs, Mistrys Pharmacy offers a range of other products to help you stay healthy while travelling, including insect repellent, travel vaccines, and advice on preventing insect bites.
Hence, if you’re planning a trip anytime soon, contact us to get the antimalarial medication you need to stay healthy.
This blog post was written on behalf of Mistrys Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
