Malaria is a deadly disease caused by parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria prophylaxis can reduce the risk of infection, but there is no vaccine yet. Antimalarial drugs are recommended for travelers, but they have drawbacks. A promising vaccine has been tested on African children. Fake pills are a danger.
The parasites cause malaria in various parts of the world by infecting mosquitoes, resulting in millions of cases of human infection via mosquito bites. The disease can lead to death, but medications known as malaria prophylaxis can greatly reduce this risk. There are other recommended preventative measures, but malaria vaccination is not yet available to the public. Millions of dollars are being invested in research for an effective malaria vaccine, and one vaccine appears to be particularly promising after a trial on African children.
Different parasites are responsible for the infection, so medical experts recommend a variety of antimalarial drugs, depending on where a world traveler is headed. Recommendations are made for specific countries, with African nations being a prime risk area for malaria. None of these drugs are 100% successful every time, and discovering and implementing a new way to fight the disease through a malaria vaccination would go a long way towards prevention.
Malaria can cause death and two children die every minute from the disease, according to the World Health Organization. The hope is that a malaria vaccination will greatly reduce the number of deaths each year from the disease. Meanwhile, people who have to travel to malaria-prone regions of the world can avail themselves of a variety of prescribed medications, but there are drawbacks and benefits. With some of these drugs, ingestion is not recommended for pregnant women or people suffering from kidney disease. Another drug may exacerbate existing medical conditions but is safe for pregnant women. Some of the drugs are beneficial because they can be taken just before a trip, or for short periods of time, while others that offer similar protections need to be taken for longer periods of time, or well in advance of a trip.
Malaria doesn’t always lead to death, but the symptoms of the disease are uncomfortable and unpleasant, including fever, chills, and a general feeling of the flu. Adding to the misery are fake pills designed to look like antimalarial drugs, which have led to the deaths of some people who believed they actually had the protection conferred by fake drugs. Travelers should always purchase such drugs in their home country due to quality control issues and problems caused by storage in hot, humid areas.
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