What is it?
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The disease occurs in (sub)tropical regions. In the Netherlands malaria is an imported disease. There are five different forms of malaria. The most dangerous form can cause death within a few days. The four other forms cause the same symptoms, but do not lead to serious complications. With some forms, parasites that have settled in the liver may not cause symptoms until several months or years later.
Symptoms may include:
- fever
- chills
- muscle pain
- headache
- fatigue
How do you catch it?
The parasites that cause malaria are transmitted by mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are usually active between sunset and sunrise. The parasites enter your body through a mosquito bite. They then multiply in your liver and afterwards invade the red blood cells. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. The first symptoms usually appear one and a half to two weeks after infection. The most dangerous form of malaria can develop up to about a month after infection. With some forms, parasites that have settled in the liver may not cause symptoms until several months or years later.
How do you prevent it?
You can reduce infection with the parasite that causes malaria by lowering your chances of being bitten by a mosquito. You can do this by wearing clothing that covers the skin, using mosquito nets and applying mosquito repellent during the times when the mosquitoes are active. Malaria can also be prevented by taking anti-malarial medication. There are various types of anti-malarial medication. Which one you need or are able to use depends on a number of factors. As a rule, anti-malarial medication must be taken until at least four weeks after leaving the malaria area. There are also medicines that you only need to keep taking until one week after leaving the area. There is no vaccine against malaria.
Besides the conditions at your destination, your personal circumstances and travel plans are decisive factors in the preparations you may need to make — or are required to make — before you travel. You are welcome to come to us for expert travel health advice and a prescription for the anti-malarial medication mentioned above.
The above description is only a general, concise and simplified overview and is intended for information purposes only. No rights can be derived from it. Personal advice is given exclusively during a consultation with a specially trained Certified Travel Health Physician or Travel Health Assistant.