Malaria is basically spread by mosquitoes which carry a parasite that eventually leads to this deadly disease. When the mosquito bites you, the parasite gets into your blood stream and multiplies rapidly, worsening the condition. Thus, prevention of malaria in the peak monsoon seasons, especially in areas that are susceptible to it spreading, is a must. You need to protect yourself against mosquito bites by taking antimalarial medicines. Here’s how to prevent yourself against mosquito bites.

Ways to Prevent Malaria: With the heavy Indian monsoon, comes the fear of the malaria bite. While most inland areas have managed to contain its spread, several metroes like Mumbai, continue to report several malaria cases year after year. Therefore, make an effort to follow this list of preventions this monsoon:

• First and foremost make sure that you limit outside activity between dusk and dawn. Stay indoors as much as you can.
• Make sure to use insect sprays indoors soon after the sun sets.
• Bed nets are a must in the monsoon, in very swampy areas that are badly hit by the monsoon, as these nets can protect you from harmful mosquitoes promising a good night’s sleep. 
• Protective clothing which includes long-sleeved shirts and pants is a must in order to protect yourself from mosquito bites. 
• Make use of insect repellent that have good amounts of DEET in them. 
• Stay away from places where malaria mosquitoes breed easily. Maintain proper levels of hygiene inside and outside your house. Make sure that any waste or garbage is well covered and disposed off as per daily cleaning routine to avoid any breeding of mosquitoes. 
• Ensure that there are no puddles or pools of water in or around your house. This is easier said than done for the streets outside, but you'd be alarmed at how quickly mosqitoes breed in small pools of water in buckets or flower pots in and around the house.

Medicinal Treatment for Malaria: Based on the geographical region, malaria can be extremely severe and at times fatal. It is important for you to carry along your malaria medicines prescribed by doctors, if you are going to a malaria prone area. It is also a must for you to follow the right dosing schedule as advised by the doctor. Make sure your medicines are not expired.

Even after returning from the malaria-prone area, make sure you continue taking your medicine till  such time that your environment is totally malaria-free. Generally it is advised that you should continue taking the dose for 1 to 4 weeks even after having recovered from the disease. Mefloquine and atovaquone/proguanil are two recommended medicines for malaria. Please note that though there are plenty of anti-malaria vaccines available in the market, no evidence fully proves their usage.  Best is to prevent yourself from malaria today!

*Image courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images