Malaria: when is too late for prevention?

Malaria is an infective disease caused by the parasite "Plasmodium". There are 4 types of plasmodium (vivax, oval, malariae and falciparum) that cause different types of malaria. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous one and the most resistant to medicines. Malaria can be prevented by using anti-malarial drugs 2 weeks before going into a malaria zone. Anti-malaria meds should be taken during the whole stay in such a zone and for 4 weeks after returning from such a zone. Prevention is not 100% secure. Chloroquine has been the drug of first choice for protection from malaria. With emerging resistance, it is now only indicated for use in areas where Plasmodium vivax, P. oval, and P. malariae are present. Falciparum malaria is becoming increasingly resistant to anti-malarial medications. For travelers going into areas where Falciparum malaria is known to occur, there are several options for anti-malarial treatment, including mefloquine, atovaquone/Proguanil, and doxycycline.
In your case, it is too late to prevent infection. There are 2 possibilities: either you are not infected at all or you are in the stadium of incubation. Incubation (a period without symptoms) usually lasts 8-20 days but it may also last from a few weeks to a few months. This means that even if you are not having symptoms at the moment, you may still develop malaria in the next few weeks or months. That’s why you HAVE TO take anti-malaria drugs during exposure. And you must consult an infectologist for further action.



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