Malaria is one of the most fatal mosquito-borne disease. Even though Dengue is thought to be more dangerous, the number of Malaria patients are almost equal or double than that of Dengue every year in india. Given below are some of the myths attached to Malaria that you must know:
Myth 1: I live in a posh locality, I can’t have Malaria.
Fact: It is a myth that people living in clean areas can’t have malaria. If you have mosquitoes around you, you can’t judge where the mosquito comes from or what infection it contains. So, you always need to be careful.
Myth 2: It affects everyone equally. So, if my neighbour is safe, so am I.
Fact: Malaria or any other disease does not affect anyone equally. If your immune system is stronger you will be able to cope with it better. The immune system in children and the elderly is weak, so they need better care.
Myth 3: Malaria and Dengue are the same.
Fact: Both of them are mosquito-borne diseases but are significantly different than each other. Search for relevant topics on our website for more information on this.
Myth 4: Malaria mosquitoes die after feeding on one prey.
Fact: Unfortunately the female mosquitoes live on to feed again which is why it's so important to put in place preventative methods.
Some quick preventive measures for Malaria are:
- Typically mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk. It is best to avoid being outdoors during those times of the day.
- Avoid wearing perfumes with a floral or sweet smell as mosquitoes are generally attracted to such scents.
- Mosquitoes follow heat patterns. It is important to wear light cotton coloured clothing while stepping out so that the light bounces off the mosquitoes and they absorb less heat when close to you.
- Do not allow water to stagnate around your house and office since mosquitoes breed easily in stagnant water places.
Myth 5: Eating garlic protects against Malaria.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence for this. Garlic doesn’t help if you have been bitten by an anopheles mosquito. But every anopheles mosquito bite doesn’t guarantee malaria and that’s a good thing.