Traveling to Africa, beware of Malaria? Take Vibramycin (Doxycycline) to prevent spread of Malaria

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Traveling to Africa, beware of Malaria? Take Vibramycin (Doxycycline) to prevent spread of Malaria

Malaria

Malaria is a very serious disease that can sometimes result in death. Although absent in United States, infections are carried by travelers visiting Malaria-endemic regions esp. sub-Saharan Africa resulting in almost 1500 malarial deaths every year. Nearly 35 countries (30 in Africa and 5 in Asia) report 98% of worldwide Malarial deaths. In fact in Africa, Malaria ranks second only to HIV/AIDS as cause of death by infectious diseases.

Malaria spread
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Four types of parasites known as Plasmodium cause malaria. Each Plasmodium has its own intensity and severity. These parasites first grow and populate human livers and then reach the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, they start affecting red blood cells and start reproducing. The next generation affects other red blood cells.

When any female Anopheles mosquito (parasites are only transferred via this particular group of mosquito species) drinks an infected person's blood, the parasite is transferred to the mosquito, where it reproduces. These parasites then reach the mosquito's saliva and when it bites a healthy person, the parasite is transferred into the new blood stream to start the infection cycle again.

Malaria can also be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant procedures, sharing syringes/other penetrative articles, or from mother to unborn child.

Malaria and Travel Advisory

When a malaria-infected traveler returns or travels to another region, the spread of malaria to the resident locality increases. Even though Malaria has been eradicated in United States, certain species of Anopheles mosquitoes are still prevalent throughout and have the capability of causing widespread Malaria infections. Hence it is very essential to immediately track and report any Malaria incidents.

Preventing Malaria contraction is one of the most primary steps one can take against spread of Malaria. Following are some of the precautions travelers can take against spreading Malaria:

Identify if the region one visits is endemic to Malaria. Possibly avoid visiting regions specifically during certain periods of the year. Malaria spread may be minimal during that time span (for e.g. colder seasons or high altitude regions in endemic areas have a very low risk of malarial infection.)

Immediately notify local medical authority if traveler observes any malarial symptoms after returning or during stay in the endemic regions.

Activity of the anopheles mosquito in endemic regions is at its peak during evenings and in places of vegetation. Travelers should avoid activities like moving out in vegetated area or in the evening so that it will reduce exposure to the mosquitoes.

Travelers should use appropriate garments that will have minimal skin exposure and reduce mosquito bites. Most endemic regions are humid and it can be extremely irritating to wear full body covering clothes. Travelers should ensure that their rooms and traveling arrangements take these conditions into account. Use of skin covering repellents or insecticides can be a good option for use in these regions.

Travelers should use bed nets while sleeping to prevent mosquito bites. They should also check for ticks as it may avoid infections.

Use of preventive medications can also reduce Malaria infection risk.
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Vibramycin (Doxycycline) as medication for preventing Malaria

Vibramycin (Doxycycline) is one of the four drugs used as a preventive measure against Malaria. It is a prescription antibiotic drug that works by preventing protein creation in Bacteria. Tolerability to this drug is considered quite high and it has minimal side effects.

In adults 100 mg /daily use of Vibramycin is considered appropriate and for children above 8 yrs 2mg/kg of body weight but less than 100 mg/day of Doxycycline is generally recommended. Vibramycin use is generally started 1 2 days before traveling to a malaria endemic region and continued daily during the entire stay as well as at least 4 weeks after return.

Vibramycin (Doxycycline) is a prescription drug and users should first discuss all Vibramycin risks and benefits with the Physician before actually purchasing Vibramycin. It is not prescribed for pregnant mothers and children below the age of 8 years. Also unnecessary use of Vibramycin without actual infection will increase drug resistant bacteria and reduce effectiveness of the medication.

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