Malaria

Question 1

What personal protection should be used?

Answer 1

Physical barriers- full length loose, light coloured clothing with long sleeves and trousers if out after sun sent

Clothing can be treated with insecticides or cotton clothes sprayed with DEET

Screening on doors, windows, bed nets treated with insecticides

Chemical barriers- use a 50% DEET insect repellent on exposed areas of skin. This can damage plastic to avoid contact

DEET should be applied after sunscreen, SPF 50 should be used as it can reduce affect of SPF 30

Avoid activities at dusk and dawn

Question 2

What options are available?

Answer 2

Chloroquine 310 mg (two 250 mg chloroquine phosphate tablets) once weekly. should be started a week before travelling to area

Proguanil The dose for adults is 200 mg once daily usually prescribed with chloroquine or atovaquone

Doxycycline adults and children over 12 years 100mg OD should be started 1 or 2 days before entering an endemic area and be continued until 4 weeks after leaving the area.