Malaria
The most frequent health problem encountered by our missionaries is malaria and volunteers are certainly not immune to it (although most of our visitors do not develop malaria). This is parasitic infection caused by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which has its highest level of activity from dusk to dawn (but can be seen any hour of the day). The symptoms of malaria vary from case to case but most often one will experience a flu-like illness with fatigue, generalized aches and pains, headache, and diminished appetite; sometimes nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, and perhaps fever and/or chills.
As volunteers, you should take prophylactic medication for the prevention of malaria beginning at least two weeks before you arrive. The most common prophylactic regimens include either mefloquine (Larium) or doxycycline (Vibramycin).
It is important that you consult your regular physician and/or IMB volunteer section for further advice about when to begin malaria prophylaxis as doctors have differing opinions about this. They will be able to advise you of the proper dose of the medication you choose.
In addition to chemical prophylaxis, it is practical to employ other measures of malaria prevention. It is strongly recommended that you use an insect repellent before going out at dusk or later. The most effective repellent available is DEET and current recommendations are that you use a repellent containing a DEET concentration of 20-35%. Before purchasing a large supply, test what you choose to be certain that it won’t cause a skin reaction.
Other measures include reducing your exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active or by wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers while outdoors at those times (light-colored clothing seems to be least attractive to mosquitoes). Remember the adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” when you are planning your malaria prophylaxis.
