Antimalaric medications: everything you should know

If you travel to tropical areas, find out about malaria and how to prevent it. Not all medicines serve everyone: it depends on destiny, age or pregnancy. Consult with a doctor before traveling and protect your health with additional measures.

Would you like to travel to an exotic place, with jungles, virgin beaches or film landscapes? It sounds incredible, but If among your plans you are visiting tropical or subtropical areasthere is something that you cannot ignore: malaria. This disease, transmitted by the bite of certain mosquitoesit can ruin not only your trip, but also your health, and quite serious.

Luckily, there is medications that help both prevent it and treat it. But – and this is important – not everyone serves everyone, and there are several factors to consider, as if you are pregnant, travel with children or destiny has resistant strains. Thus accompany me a few minutes: this will interest you.

What exactly is malaria?

Malaria is not a simple tropical cold. Is caused by some Plasmodium genre parasitesthat enter your body through the sting of an infected mosquito (Anopheles, to be exact).

You can start as a flu painting: fever, chills, sweating, nausea, headache. But if it is not treated in time, it can be complicated a lot. The most dangerous is that caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which Predominates in sub -Saharan Africa and other warm areas of the planet.

What medications are there and what are they for?

Antimalaric medications have two great functions:

• Prevent That you get during the trip.
• Treat infection If, despite everything, it is as a carrier mosquito.

The most common, with their advantages, inconveniences and in what cases they are recommended, are these:

Atovacuona-Proguanil

• Commercial name: Malarone®.
• It is used both to prevent and treat malaria.
• It starts to take 1 or 2 days before the trip, follow during the stay and continue for 7 more days when returning.
• It is easy to take (a pill a day) and usually gives few side effects.
• But be careful: it is not recommended if you are pregnant or in children weighing less than 5 kg.

Ideal for short trips or if you are one of those who do not tolerate strong pills.

Doxycycline

• Commercial names: Vibramycin® among others.
• It also serves to prevent, and is also antibiotic.
• You have to start 1-2 days before the trip and continue taking it throughout the trip and 4 weeks later.
• It is economical and effective, but it can cause sensitivity to the sun (yes, burn even if it is cloudy) and digestive discomfort.
• It should not be used in pregnant women or children under 8 years.

Good option for backpackers traveling in the long term and are not pregnant, of course.

MEFLO

• Commercial name: Lariam®.
• It is taken only once a week, which is very comfortable.
• It starts 2-3 weeks before the trip.
• It works well in many areas with P. Resistant Falciparum.
• But it has an important small print: it can cause neurological side effects (rare nightmares, anxiety, even depression).
• Contraindicated if you have a history of mental disorders or seizures.
• It can be used in pregnancy, but always under medical supervision.

It is not for everyone. If you have an anxiety or bad sleep history, better consult well.

Chloroquine

• Commercial name: Resochin®.
• It was the standard for years, but it is no longer so useful in many places because the parasite has become resistant.
• Even so, it is still a good option in certain areas (such as Central America or some Caribbean islands).
• Besides, It is safe during pregnancy.

Before discarding it, verify whether at your destination it continues to work.

In any case, if you are thinking of making a trip, it is recommended that you hire international travel insurance, remember that with Mapfre travel insurance accounts with medical assistance at destination.

Calculate your price

What if the parasite no longer responds?

Yes, unfortunately there are regions where malaria has been done Resistant to some medicationsespecially in Southeast Asia. It is a constant career between science and parasite. Therefore, more than ever, it is key to inform yourself before the trip and not improvise.

What if you are pregnant?

Being pregnant and exposed to malaria is not a good combination. The risk of complications – for you and for the baby – is greater. Ideally, avoid traveling to risk areas if you are pregnant, especially in the first quarter.

If the trip cannot be postponed, the mefloquine is usually the safest option. Doxycycline is completely contraindicated. Atovacuona-Proguanil is not recommended because conclusive studies are missing.

And always, always, always: consult your doctor before making any decision.

And the children?

The little ones can also take antimalaric, but with specific care.

• From 5 kg, atovacuona-proteil can be used, adjusting the dose well.
• MEFloquine can also be an option, but with pediatric monitoring.
• Doxycycline, on the other hand, is not used in children under 8 years due to risks in teeth and bones.

In addition, do not forget to protect them with adequate clothes, repellent suitable for their age and mosquito nets in the beds. As moms say: it is better to prevent cure.

Do I need a medical recipe?

Yes. And it is not by whim. Although in some countries they are achieved without recipe, self -medication can be dangerous. Choosing the wrong medication, taking it in the wrong dose or not respecting the times can leave you unprotected and just when you need it most.

Final tips for cautious travelers

• Agenda a medical consultation 4 to 6 weeks before the trip.
• Find out if your destiny has a risk of malaria (not everyone has it, not even all year).
• Always use repellent, clear long -sleeved clothes and mosquito nets.
• Complete the treatment until the last day, even if you are back.

Malaria is preventableYes, but it’s not about taking any pill without thinking. Each person, each destination and each situation requires a different approach.

So before doing the backpack, consult a professional, choose your protection well, and travel quietly. Because the best way to live a great story … is not to bring back a parasite as souvenir.

What you should know …

• Malaria is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, malaria can be treated and preventable with specific medications, but it is important to choose the right one according to each case.
• There are different antimalaric medications, each with its advantages, inconveniences and recommendations depending on the situation of the traveler. These medications can prevent or treat malaria, but their effectiveness varies according to the area and the patient’s profile (pregnancy, children, parasite resistance, etc.).
• It is essential to consult a doctor before traveling to malaria risk areas, especially if you are pregnant or travel with children. Self -medication can be dangerous, and adequate and complete treatment must be followed, in addition to taking precautions such as the use of repellent and mosquito nets.

Literature

• WHO – World Health Organization: Paludism available in WHO.
• Ministry of Health of Spain – International Vaccines and Travel. Available in Health.gob.es. Search by country, with specific tips for travelers from Spain.