Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The risks from malaria to both mother and foetus during pregnancy are considerable.
Unless good medical care can be guaranteed, travel in malarial areas while pregnant
should be discouraged unless essential.
ANTIMALARIAL A TO D
A Awareness of the risk. No medication is totally effective, but protection of up to 95% is achievable with most
drugs, as long as other measures have been taken.
B Bites - avoid at all costs:
» Sleep in a screened room, use a mosquito spray or coils and sleep under a
permethrin-impregnated net at night. Light-weight travel-style nets are not readily
available in the region, so buy one before leaving home.
» Cover up in the evenings and at night with long trousers and long sleeves, prefer-
ably with permethrin-treated clothing. Light-coloured clothing is best.
» Apply appropriate repellent to all areas of exposed skin in the evenings. While pro-
longed overuse of DEET-containing repellents may be harmful, especially to chil-
dren, its use is considered preferable to being bitten by disease-transmitting mosqui-
toes.
» Avoid perfumes, aftershave and heavily scented soaps.
C Chemical prevention (ie antimalarial drugs) is usually needed in malarial areas. Expert advice is needed as res-
istance patterns can change, and new drugs are in development. Not all antimalarial drugs are suitable for every-
one. Most antimalarial drugs need to be started at least a week in advance and continued for four weeks after the
last possible exposure to malaria.
D Diagnosis. If you have a fever or flu-like illness within a year of travel to a malarial area, malaria is a possibil-
ity, and immediate medical attention is necessary.
Meningococcal Meningitis
Meningococcal infection is spread through close respiratory contact and is more likely in
crowded situations, such as dormitories, buses and clubs. Infection is uncommon in travel-
lers. Vaccination is recommended for long stays and is especially important towards the
end of the dry season. Symptoms include a fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and a
red rash. Immediate medical treatment is necessary.
The ACWY vaccine is recommended for all travellers in sub-Saharan Africa. This vac-
cine is different from the meningococcal meningitis C vaccine given to children and ad-
olescents in some countries; it is safe to be given both types of vaccine.
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