Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

Question:

We will be living in Nigeria with a 15-month-old child. Is there a way to prevent malaria in children this age?

Answer:

Yes, there are things you can do while living in Nigeria. Avoiding infection and taking medication to lower your chances of developing malaria are possible for both children and adults, although these measures do not guarantee protection.

Infected mosquitoes spread malaria to humans, so avoiding mosquito bites will help protect people from it. Be particularly careful when the sun goes down, because mosquitoes like to feed at dusk and overnight.

Use insect repellant — those with DEET work best — and wear clothing that covers most of your body. Sleeping in a screened-in home or a home with air conditioning will further lower your risk. If these aren't possible, it is a good idea to buy mosquito nets for your beds, preferably those treated with insecticide.

There is no vaccine for malaria, but taking a medication can help reduce the risk of developing malaria. The type of malaria found in Nigeria is currently resistant to the most commonly used medication — chloroquine. However, there are other medications, such as mefloquine, which are safe for use in both children and adults and are effective in Nigeria.

Well before leaving for Nigeria, ask your child's doctor for a referral to a doctor who specializes in travel medicine. This doctor can prescribe the best medicine recommended for malaria prevention in Nigeria at that time. It is also very important for your child to be up-to-date with the typical U.S. vaccination schedule.

Travelers should begin to take their malaria medication before they travel and continue taking the medication while they are there, and even for a short period after they return — the specific instructions differ depending on which drug is prescribed.

Remember, there is no way to guarantee protection against malaria. Know how to spot the signs and symptoms of malaria — such as high fever, shaking chills, sweats, and headaches. Children may also get vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. It is also best to find a good place for medical care in Nigeria should you or your child become sick.