Tips to avoid Malaria in Pregnancy

Asalamoalikum /Good Morning.

Malaria is a serious but completely preventable disease caused by a parasite that infects a particular mosquito which feeds on human blood. It can be sometimes fatal if not treated promptly and wisely.

Infants, children and Pregnant women are mostly at risk because of their decreased immunity.
Now the question is how to prevent malaria? as it poses severe health risk to the pregnant woman more over  if she is expecting her first child. Currently no vaccine is available but various easy going measures can be taken to avoid the danger of malaria.

If a pregnant woman in taking an unavoidable trip to any exotic destination which is endemic for malaria, take the following steps:

1. Arm yourself with the knowledge about the area you are travelling like marshy places, breeding season, open localities etc, so one should avoid going there.
2. Protective measures:  Keep all the doors and windows  closed and properly netted.It should be insecticide-treated and without holes..
3. Keep the Air conditioning on as it as mosquitoes can't withstand the cool breeze.
4. Clothing: Try to wear loose long sleeved, all covered clothing while going outdoor.
5. Mosquito Repellent: Any exposed area should be applied with Sunscreen first than the mosquito repelling lotion.
6. Stay indoor: especially at dawn and dusk..
7. Awareness: Be aware of any fever like symptoms, sweating, chills.Don't panic.Visit the nearby physician. The type of malaria medication differ according to the area of travel.

The main outcome of malaria in pregnant woman is Maternal Anaemia which can itself leads to several complications like Low Birth Weight Babies .
Remember that Prevention is better than Cure. However, if any mommy is a resident of the malaria endemic area, nothing to worry about, full therapeutic Course of antimalarial medicine is given at routine medical visits known as Intermittent Preventive Treatment which is quite successful.
However, the need of the day is to raise Awareness and Education among the population who are the main victim of this insect-borne disease as this is completely preventable  by cleaning our surroundings and by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Stay Healthy and Stay Aware

How to Prevent Malaria in Children? : Checklist

Asalamoalikum/Good Morning

Malaria is a serious blood disease that is particularly dangerous to children due to their immature immunity.

It is mostly transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito however infected blood transfusion and contaminated syringes and needles are also responsible for malaria propagation..

World Malaria Day

Efforts are being  undertaken to make the malaria the disease of  the past by raising awareness among the masses through campaigns and by distributing informative literature. As Malaria is one of the top most killer of children the basic measures should be known to every mom to  keep their children safe from Malaria.

Baby well covered

 

Here are few simple measures which should be practised by every mom at home:

• Buy a mosquito net at the first instance. A net with small meshes, no holes and be able to tucked under the bed is the best choice.
• The child should be well covered while sleeping. A light coloured long sleeved shirt, pant and socks/ covered shoes is the ideal night suit.
• Insect proofing all the sleeping rooms by covering the windows, doors, small ventilators in the wash rooms toilets with gauze.

mosquito net

• Use of insect repellents over the exposed areas of the body, Be aware of any allergic reactions (rashes , itching etc). Don't apply over the cuts, wounds on very small babies.
• Keep the room airy and well lit because mosquito are unable to withstand the fast breeze
• Most important, keep all the medicines, sprays and other dangerous aerosols out of reach of children,
• If the child has cycles of chills, fever, and sweating, Don't panic, seek immediate medical help. Delaying the treatment can lead to serious complications.
• A healthy lifestyle and clear surroundings is essential as Malaria is a totally preventable disease.

Stay Healthy and Stay Aware !!!