World Malaria Day: Say no to malaria

New Delhi: When we are surrounded by blood-sucking mosquitoes who are capable of infecting us with Malaria, it only makes sense to take precautions. As they say, prevention is better than cure. Malaria is a life-threatening, mosquito-borne blood disease caused when the female mosquito bites and infects the human body.

While we can't completely avoid mosquito bites, some simple lifestyle changes can protect us from getting bitten by these insects.

"As of now, there is no pre-vaccination for malaria available. The best way to stay safe is by taking protective measures. Also, if in case you notice symptoms like high fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and fatigue consult an expert for proper treatment," said Dr Monika Mahajan, Associate Director, Max Healthcare.

Here are some easy tips and tricks to avoid malaria:

Clean surrounding – The first step towards preventing malaria is to maintain hygiene. Make sure your home is mopped with disinfectant every day and the excess water around you treated at the earliest.

Wear full clothes – Wear light coloured full sleeves or legs clothes that cover most of your body to avoid mosquito bites.

Keep the doors and windows shut – Do not let mosquitoes enter your home. Keep the doors and windows shut, especially during the evening. Mosquitoes tend to enter and hide in the dark corners of your house.

Maintain a strong immune system – Consuming a healthy diet and drinking lots of fluids are the easiest ways to achieve a strong immune system that can fight infection. 

Avoid street food – It can be hard to resist those lips making street food items but to keep yourself away from the infection, opt for freshly cooked and steaming hot food instead.

Mosquito repellents – Repellents creams, sprays, and insecticide-treated nets are pocket-friendly and effective tools to avoid exposure to mosquitoes, keep them handy.

Natural remedies – If you are allergic to chemicals that are in mosquito repellents, use natural remedies to stay protected. Garlic and rosemary have mosquito larvicidal properties. Make your own natural mosquito repellent spray by boiling crushed garlic clove. Fill the solution in a spray bottle and spray around to prevent mosquito bites.

Aromatic plants – Plants with a strong aroma are something mosquitoes don’t like. So, grow rosemary, marigold, mint or lemongrass to keep mosquitoes away.