Prevent malaria from plaguing with 8 easy steps

Malaria cases in Indonesia continued to decline from 2011 to 2015, according to the Ministry of Health's Infodatin report. Even so, some parts of eastern Indonesia are still at very high risk of malaria outbreaks. Data from WHO also estimates that more than half of the world's population is at risk of contracting malaria. Find out what anti-malaria drugs are effective, as well as other ways to prevent malaria in full below.

Malaria should not be underestimated

Mosquito Anopheles females carry parasites Plasmodium which will flow in the bloodstream and eventually land on the liver after you are bitten by it. The parasites then multiply and return to circulating in the bloodstream to attack your red blood cells.

After a few days, you will start experiencing malaria symptoms such as a high fever for 2-3 days, chills, and muscle aches. If you are already experiencing these symptoms, treatment needs to be done immediately within four weeks.

Malaria is a deadly disease. This mosquito bite disease can quickly cause loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, seizures, shock, and more serious problems, such as heart, lung, kidney, or brain failure.

Although the number of malaria cases reported nationally has decreased, several eastern parts of Indonesia, such as Papua, NTT, Maluku, Sulawesi, as well as Bangka Belitung, are still malaria endemic areas.

This fact does not mean that you can let your guard down and not take malaria prevention even if you don't live in these areas. Traveling to malaria endemic areas, even temporarily, can increase your risk of the disease. Especially pregnant women, babies, young children, and the elderly who have weak immune systems.

Anti malarial drugs recommended by doctors

If you plan to go to areas with high malaria cases, such as Papua, NTT, or Maluku, of course your risk of getting this disease is much higher.

Therefore, it remains important for every Indonesian to take steps to prevent malaria. It's always better to prevent than to cure, right?

Usually, each country has recommendations for anti-malarial drugs that can be used to prevent this disease. However, it is important to remember that these medications must be used with a doctor's prescription.

Therefore, make sure you consult your doctor first to get a prescription for a drug that suits your health condition, as well as your destination.

Here are some anti-malarial drugs that doctors generally recommend:

1. Atovaquone

The first type of malaria prevention drug is atovaquone or proguanil. This drug is the right choice for those of you who have suddenly traveled to malaria endemic areas in the near future because it can be taken 1-2 days before leaving.

For prevention, this medicine should be taken 1-2 days before leaving, every day while at the destination, and 7 days after going home. The goal of taking medication after discharge is to ensure that no malaria parasites are left in your body.

Atovaquone is classified as a safe drug and rarely causes side effects. However, this medicine should not be taken by pregnant women, breastfeeding women, as well as people suffering from kidney problems.

2. Chloroquine

Another anti-malarial drug that is good to take before going to malaria endemic areas is chloroquine. Unlike atovaquone, chloroquine does not need to be taken every day and only needs to be consumed once a week.

The recommended dose is 1 drink 1-2 weeks before departure, once a week while at the destination, and 4 weeks after return.

However, some malaria endemic areas have developed resistance or resistance to the drug chloroquine. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe other drugs, depending on which area you are going to.

3. Doxycycline

Doxycycline is actually a class of antibiotics, but has been shown to be effective against parasitic infections Plasmodium in the human body. Therefore, this drug is often prescribed for both prevention and medication for the treatment of malaria patients.

In addition, doxycycline is one of the cheapest drugs compared to other anti-malarial drugs. This medicine is also recommended for those of you who have to go suddenly to a destination with high malaria cases because it can be taken 1-2 days before departure.

4. Mefloquine

Mefloquine is an anti-malarial drug that can be taken once a week. You are advised to take this medicine 1-2 weeks before leaving, so it is not suitable for those of you who have to travel suddenly.

Unfortunately, just like chloroquine, there are several types of parasites already Plasmodium in certain areas resistant to the drug mefloquine. This drug should also not be consumed by people with certain psychological disorders, as well as people who often experience seizure disorders.

5. Primakuine

Primakuine is an anti-malarial drug that is most effective at preventing parasitic infections Plasmodium vivax, a type of malaria parasite. This medicine must be taken 7 days before you leave, and taken every day while you are at your destination.

Giving this drug must be done carefully because there are some people who should not take it, such as patients with deficiency glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase (G6PD). These conditions are usually congenital conditions, so doctors need to do a medical test first before prescribing primaquine.

Another proven effective way to prevent malaria

Of all the anti malarial drugs above, none can 100% protect yourself from parasitic infections Plasmodium. Therefore, you need to protect yourself and protect the surrounding environment so that mosquitoes are reluctant to come close to your body.

Here are some other tips to prevent getting this disease:

1. Avoid mosquito bites

In addition to taking anti-malarial drugs, do self-protection by changing your lifestyle. You can follow the tips below:

• Wear protective clothing such as pants and long shirts during activities, especially at dawn or late afternoon. The malaria mosquito was most susceptible to circulating at both times.
• Install mosquito repellent indoors, or regularly spray insect repellent in the morning and evening.
• Apply a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or diethyltoluamide when you feel a lot of mosquitoes around you.
• Use a mosquito net (mosquito net) to cover your bed.
• Spray an insecticide or insect repellent, such as permethrin, to prevent mosquitoes from flying around you.
• Avoid hanging clothes indoors, which can be a hiding place for mosquitoes.
• Wear nightgowns or blankets that cover your skin.
• Take 3M precautionary measures (drain water reservoirs, bury used goods, and recycle used goods).
• Routinely do fogging once a month. Ask the authorities (RT, RW, or kelurahan) to do so fogging bulk in your local neighborhood when needed.

2. Understand the risk of this disease

The best way to prevent malaria apart from taking anti-malarial drugs is to recognize this disease in depth. Learn carefully about the dangers, symptoms, and treatment of this disease.

You should also know how malaria is occurring in the country or city you are traveling to before traveling. Also understand the risks you have to face if you decide to go to a malaria endemic area.

If you are among those who are at high risk of contracting malaria (pregnant women, young children, the elderly), as much as possible avoid traveling to malaria-prone areas.

If you do have to go, talk to your doctor about the risk of this disease at the destination and the best anti-malarial treatment you can get.

Immediately see a doctor, if ..

You are advised to immediately seek medical help if you have a high fever and chills after returning from a malaria endemic area, even though while there you are regularly taking anti-malarial drugs.

The infection caused by the malaria mosquito can develop so quickly that your condition can worsen in a short time. Therefore, it is important to get malaria treatment as early as possible.