It's malaria season and so far Mpumalanga's been hardest it…

Mosquitoes – they’re one of the few things people dislike about summer.

And for good reason too!

Not only are their bites painfully itchy, but some carry dangerous diseases like malaria and dengue fever too.

But telling you have it, can be tricky.

Watch out for these symptoms if you’ve been in a malaria area

• Fever;
• Chills;
• Headache;
• Sweats;
• Fatigue;
• Nausea and vomiting.

If you experience the following symptoms up to ten days after returning from a bush break – or indeed while you’re on one – get your doctor to test your blood.

These aren’t symptoms you want to ignore! Every year, malaria kills 1.2 million people.

And it’s why it’s crucial you have a prevention plan in place too. 

The ABCDs of malaria prevention

As we explain here, one of the best ways to prevent malaria infection is to follow the ‘ABCD’ approach.
 
This means being Aware of the risk, Bite avoidance, Chemoprophylaxis or taking preventive medicines if you’re travelling to or living in a malaria region, and Diagnosis made promptly with early treatment of an infected case.

And remember sometime you can’t help but get bitten. By knowing what to expect from the disease, you’ll be able to catch it before it ruins your health.