Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease carried by mosquitoes, usually transmitted through the infected female mosquito. The risk exists in areas below 600 m except in Manila, Catanduanes, Cebu and Bohol provinces. Symptoms of malaria (chilling, fever, too much sweating and headache) occur for at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. In order to prevent malaria those people going to malaria risk areas should seek medical advice to the medical centres of the area; take a chemoprophylaxis; prefer to sleep in quarters with screened windows and door or in a mosquito net; wear light long sleeves and long pants during night activities; use insect repellant. In case infected by malaria, consult a physician for a blood smear to find out the particular malaria species present in patient’s blood in order to provide the appropriate anti-malarial medicine.