Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection that has a lot of myths associated with it. Because of them, many travelers are at substantial risk of getting the wrong advice. One common myth is that malaria preventive medicine somehow hides or masks the disease. Some people believe it is better to get sick, be diagnosed, and treated, without understanding that the disease may not be recognized early enough. Without quick diagnosis and treatment, malaria can progress rapidly and can even be fatal.
Another myth is that some people avoid using chemical repellents on their skin and prefer herbal remedies, like citronella or other preparations. However, these are not effective. The only scientifically proven mosquito repellent contains a substance called DEET, which is recommended.
There is also a misconception that malaria can be treated with herbal remedies. Unfortunately, some products on the market are advertised as effective against malaria, but they are not. Using these remedies puts people at risk of serious illness and even death.
Sleeping under an insecticide-treated net can reduce the contact between mosquitoes and humans. These nets provide both a physical barrier and an insecticidal effect. Population-wide protection can be achieved when there is a high level of usage of such nets within a community, helping to kill mosquitoes on a large scale.
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