Tips on how to prevent malaria

called plasmodium, which causes Malaria in humans. But all mosquito bites are itchy and irritating and may lead to unsightly sores if you scratch them and they become infected.
Malaria is a parasitic disease characterised by muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite severe headaches and fever. If you feel any combination of the above symptoms then you need to get to a medical service provider immediately.
There are places that are generally recognised as malaria-prone zones in Zimbabwe. These are the Zambezi Basin including Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba and surrounding areas. The Lowveld is also another danger area.
But in 2011, The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare indicated that Harare and Bulawayo may now also be malaria zones. Some patients who had not been out of the towns have tested positive for malaria. So we all need to be careful.
But if you live in an area that is generally malaria-free and you are planning to visit a malaria-prone zone, then you need to take some malaria tablets for at least three weeks before you go.
In Zimbabwe, malaria is managed through a combination of quinine and Fancida and the medication is easily obtainable from pharmacies and clinics.
Just like it is with any other medical condition, malaria prevention is much more cost effective than cure. And it is also less painful. There are ways of reducing your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes but it is even more effective to stop the blood-sucking insects from breeding near your home. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water sources so you need to get rid of all these.
Do not leave garbage lying around. If there is no collection service then make sure that you bury all litter. You also need to cut the grass around your home.
If you cannot avoid mosquitoes then take measures to stop them from biting you. Wear long sleeved tops and full-length trousers to reduce the skin area exposed. You could also use insect repellent cosmetics like soap bars and lotions.
Mosquito coils are also very effective. Now there are some electric repellents that you plug into the wall and they work for a period of up to two months. But the most effective and affordable way is to use a treated net over your bed. The chemicals for treating the nets are now available in many supermarkets and they are not very expensive.
Malarial mosquitoes thrive in Sub-Saharan Africa because it is rainy and we have high temperatures. In some places the health facilities are very basic and far from most people.
In 2010, malaria were killing about 3 000 people per day worldwide and most of these were children in Africa.
Even when one catches malaria, death is preventable. Only severe cases could be fatal if the patient is not attended to soon enough. So if you feel a fever, run to the doctor.
Gina out!!!!