Malaria prophylaxis

Malaria prophylaxis is the preventive treatment of malaria. Several malaria vaccines are under development. For pregnant women who are living in malaria endemic areas, routine malaria chemoprevention is recommended.

Overview

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented.

Prevention

The best way to prevent malaria is to use mosquito nets and insect repellents, and to take antimalarial drugs.

Antimalarial drugs

Antimalarial drugs are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Some antimalarial agents, such as chloroquine and mefloquine, are also effective against rheumatic diseases.

Malaria in Pregnancy

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria. The disease can cause severe maternal illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal anemia, fetal loss, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of low birth-weight infants (<2500 g or <5.5 pounds), especially in primigravidae (women in their first pregnancy).

Malaria Vaccines

Several malaria vaccines are under development. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, also known as Mosquirix, is the first and, as of 2015, the only vaccine to receive regulatory approval.

See Also

• Malaria
• Antimalarial medication
• Mosquito nets
• Insect repellents

References

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