Sweet WormWood

Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa where safari trips are still possible which means you will need to take malaria prevention precautions to protect yourself against catching the disease when you travel there.

There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday.

1. Malaria Tablets

It’s important to consult your GP when deciding on the brand of malaria tablets for your trip because they affect everyone differently and your medical history might play a role in the choice.

There are three types of tablets that are still considered to provide adequate malaria prevention (up to 98%) even though there is no drug that is 100% effective and some of them may have mild side effects - Malarone, Larium and Doxycycline.

Paludrine and Chloroquine are less than 60% effective because the disease has built up a resistance to these drugs over the years.

2. Safari Clothing

Mosquito’s become much more active at dusk and during the night and early morning so you need to make sure that you cover up any exposed skin with the right clothing when you are outside.

It is often still very warm during the evenings but resist the temptation to stay in t-shirt and short trousers and rather cover up with long trousers, a long sleeve shirt and socks to protect your ankles against bites. They can’t bite you through material.

Remember that malaria prevention is much better than cure.

3. Mosquito repellent

make sure that you apply mosquito repellent to any areas that your clothing doesn’t cover particularly your hands and your neck.

Repellents that contain DEET are very good for keeping the mosquito’s away but remember to re-apply periodically because the effect diminishes over time.

4. Mosquito Nets

Most safari companies do have mosquito nets installed in the accommodation they provide for their guests so make sure you check with them first if you are planning on buying one for your trip.

But not all accommodation in Africa has them and if you are going to be spending time before or after your safari it might be a good idea to have one handy.

Make sure that you purchase Permethrin treated nets as that stop the mosquitoes from biting through the material, protects against damaged or poorly erected netting and decreases the amount of insects in the room.

5. Malaria Free Safaris

The most effective way to avoid catching malaria is of course to stay away from the areas in which it occurs and there are some safari areas in South Africa which are malaria free and still provide an authentic safari experience with the big five animals available for viewing.

Madikwe, Shamwari, Pilansberg and Addo Elephant Park are examples of some fantastic game reserves that are completely malaria free making all the other malaria prevention measures unnecessary.

About the Author - Bruce Whittaker

These are the malaria tablets including their dosage and side effects that are available to prevent malaria on a safari trip.
Mosquito netting tips and advice to make sure you choose the most effective one to protect you from malaria in Africa.

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Malaria is an infectious blood disease caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito that injects parasites into the bloodstream. This disease is reported to afflict 350-500 million people each year and causes over one million deaths. Malaria causes a high fever, joint pain, shivering, vomiting and anemia. If left untreated, it can result in severe medical complications or even death. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines against malaria though they are being researched and developed for testing.

The best treatment for malaria is to prevent it. Some countries have a higher risk of infection than others. There is no risk of malaria in North America and Western Europe. All other areas have varying degrees of risk. If traveling to a high risk area, it is advisable to seek consultation with a physician for preventative medications. It is also recommended that insect repellants and mosquito netting be used to reduce exposure risk. Because the mosquito has a high rate of reproduction and can become immune to medications quickly, seek a physician’s advice before using any oral medications.

Treating malaria is much more effective when diagnosis occurs early. Treatment in the early stages is much less invasive and generally has milder reactions. If caught early, treatment can generally be accomplished at home under the supervision of a physician. Only in severe cases or cases where diagnosis did not occur fast enough will hospitalization be required. If traveling to a high risk country, be aware of the warning signs and get examined immediately.

Minor cases of malaria are generally treated with oral medications. It is also very important to ensure continual fluid intake so the body does not get dehydrated. Quinine sulphate, along with doxycycline, is taken orally for one week. There can be short term uncomfortable effects of this drug but its proven effectiveness in treating malaria is worth the temporary discomfort. Malarone is a combination drug that is effective but very expensive and there have been reported cases of resistance to this treatment.

More severe cases of malaria will require hospitalization for treatment. Constant supervision by a physician is needed to ensure correct dosage and to monitor body responses. Quinine is typically the medication provided for treatment. Medications are administered intravenously in small doses because quinine taken in too large a dose can cause complications or death.

Malaria is a very serious disease that is often mistaken for the flu. If travelling to high risk areas or if you have recently returned from travelling, please seek medical attention immediately if you have flu-like symptoms. Inform the physician that you have a risk of exposure to malaria. Prevention and early detection are the keys to making certain malaria is treated and cured.

About the Author
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for MalariaHelp.com. To learn more about malaria treatments and malaria prevention, visit us.

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PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST MALARIA WITH SWEET WORMWOOD

The herb Sweet Wormwood, also known as Qinghaosu in Chinese, is one of approximately 300 species of the family botanically known as Artemisia. Most are very similar in appearance. The Wormwood plant is a bushy, silvery leaved herb that is quite pretty. Its fragrance is pungent, and it has a bitter taste. It is important to know that it is ONLY Artemisia annua that contains the compound Artemisinin, an antimalarial agent.

If you are planning a trip where malaria is known to exist, it is an excellent idea to purchase a supply of Sweet Wormwood in liquid form to bring with you. Visit your local herb store, or health food shop. They usually stock liquid herbal remedies that are sold in two ounce bottles. If you are unable to find Sweet Wormwood in this form locally, the internet is an excellent source for fresh, high quality herbal products. You could visit a Chinese herbalist who can prepare separate sachets of Sweet Wormwood for you, but such packages may be confiscated, as they appear suspicious. They are also bulky and take up room in your luggage. Hence, the liquid form is portable and convenient. You simply add the amount of drops recommended on the label into a glass of water, and drink it.

Once you have ascertained that the country you wish to travel to have experienced outbreaks of malaria, you can begin to take some preventative measures to ensure that you remain in optimum health during your visit. Begin taking Sweet Wormwood approximately five days prior to your departure with water as directed by the manufacturer. You may continue the dosage whilst you are traveling, but not for a period of time longer than 30 days. It is also important to avoid mosquito and other insect bites when traveling in areas where malaria is found. There are many types of insect repellant available, and using one is highly recommended. Wearing sunscreen is also recommended. Sleep with netting to protect yourself from insects, if you are staying anywhere with open windows. Drinking bottled water is also an excellent idea.

Avoid locations that are swampy or where there are pools of stagnant water. Mosquitoes breed in these locations, so steer clear of them if you can. Taking vitamin supplements is a good idea as well, to boost your immune system. Stay well hydrated and give yourself ample rest periods.

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