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Determining your Own Risk of Malaria when Traveling

Malaria is perhaps the most widely known tropical disease around the world and indeed, it is the one that many Americans are concerned with when they travel. It can be found in many of the countries that are desirable for travel like Mexico, Central and South America, Africa and even parts of Asia and Australia.

Everyone who travels to the areas endemic to malaria has a chance of contracting the disease. However, there are also individual risk factors which may vary from person to person. In addition, the area itself may undergo a sea of change with the weather and the affected environment playing a huge part in creating different levels of malaria risk. The one human factor that should never play a risk in traveling is ignorance. It is up to you to ask your travel agent or research through the Centers for Disease Control to determine travel risk to the area of your choice.

You also have to keep in mind that even if a country has a warning about malaria outbreaks, you have to look at where in the country. If the outbreak is in a rural area, away from the city and tourist trade, you still could quite safely visit the country as long as you refrain from visiting the target disease areas. One thing is for sure, Africa is the place where malaria is quite commonplace.

The timing of malaria or other disease outbreaks usually occurs in the warm, wet seasons in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Cold, dry seasons are not as conducive to transmitting the disease although it does happen at these times. Warm temperatures are best for this type of scenario. Up until the mid 20th century, many people developed some resistance to malaria. However with the disease virtually gone from the United States, people have not built up much of an immunity to it which is why travelers to these malaria endemic countries have to take added precautions.

One of the most important precautions to take while on your trip is the use of insect repellent. DEET based products do well and should be applied to every part of your skin not covered up with clothing. Long sleeves and pants tucked into sock are optimal is well. If you can, the clothing should be light colored as it is easier to see some of the little pests like mosquito and ticks.

Doctors can prescribe anti-malarial medication for you to start taking before your trip. This medication will help protect you from this disease itself but there is a small chance that you could still contract some symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle pain and more.

Your general overall health also plays a factor in where you go and what you want to do. If your immune system is compromised, you have a higher chance of getting malaria as well. Diabetes, heart problems, AIDS and more all can hinder recovery time from the disease. Your best bet would be to refer to your primary care doctor and talk about your travel plans as well as any health treatment options in the event malaria does stick with you.