Is there a vaccine for malaria? I am going to travel to an
endemic region.
There is no vaccine available yet. However, if you go
to an endemic region and you must exercise a great deal of caution. There are
several prophylactic drugs
that can be used but you need to consult with your doctor to determine the
right drug for you. Different drugs
are now used in different parts of the world because of resistance.
Secondly, use the topical insect repellant DEET from dusk to
dawn. Everything else on the market is not very effective. Wear long sleeved
permethrin coated clothes as long as you are not allergic to permethrin. Before
going to sleep, spray DEET under the bed and other nearby furniture. Brush
around the walls and curtains
and kill and mosquitoes
that you see.
Try to make it a habit of sleeping under fine nylon netting
impregnated with permethrin. Avoid wearing perfumes and colognes-for some
reason mosquitoes love fragrance. With the above precautions, you will be about
99% protected but you should understand that mosquitoes are also very smart and
hardy. They will nip you when you least expect it.
