Myth 1: Malaria is caused by bad air.
Fact: Malaria is not caused by bad air, but by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
Myth 2: You can catch malaria from someone who has it.
Fact: Malaria is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person like a cold or the flu.
Myth 3: Malaria only occurs in tropical areas.
Fact: Malaria can occur in any region with the appropriate climate and mosquito population, including some temperate regions.
Myth 4: Mosquito repellents are not effective in preventing malaria.
Fact: Mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridin are effective in preventing mosquito bites and thus reducing the risk of malaria.
Myth 5: Only children get malaria.
Fact: Malaria can affect people of all ages, but children under five are particularly vulnerable.
Myth 6: Malaria can be cured by traditional medicine.
Fact: Malaria can only be cured using antimalarial drugs prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Myth 7: Malaria can be prevented by drinking alcohol.
Fact: Drinking alcohol does not prevent malaria and may actually increase the risk of contracting the disease.
Myth 8: Malaria is not a serious disease.
Fact: Malaria can be a serious and even life-threatening disease, especially in young children and pregnant women.
Myth 9: Malaria only affects people who have never been exposed to it before.
Fact: People who have been exposed to malaria before can still get the disease if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
Myth 10: Malaria can be transmitted through sexual contact.
Fact: There is no evidence that malaria can be transmitted through sexual contact.
Myth 11: Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions.
Fact: Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, but this is rare in countries where blood is routinely screened for the disease.
Myth 12: Malaria can be transmitted through sharing needles.
Fact: Malaria cannot be transmitted through sharing needles, as it is not a blood-borne virus.
Myth 13: Malaria always causes a fever.
Fact: While fever is a common symptom of malaria, not all cases of the disease present with a fever.
Myth 14: Malaria can be diagnosed based on symptoms alone.
Fact: Malaria can only be diagnosed through laboratory tests that confirm the presence of the malaria parasite in a blood sample.
Myth 15: Malaria cannot be prevented if you live in a high-risk area.
Fact: Malaria can be prevented by taking antimalarial drugs, sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and taking other measures to avoid mosquito bites.
Myth 16: Malaria can be treated with antibiotics.
Fact: Malaria cannot be treated with antibiotics, as it is caused by a parasite and not a bacterial infection.
Myth 17: Malaria can be prevented by taking vitamin supplements.
Fact: There is no evidence that taking vitamin supplements can prevent malaria.
Myth 18: Malaria can be cured by eating certain foods.
Fact: Malaria cannot be cured by eating certain foods, but maintaining a healthy diet can support overall health and help the body fight the disease.
Myth 19: Malaria is no longer a problem in most parts of the world.
Fact: Malaria is still a major public health problem in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Myth 20: Once you’ve had malaria, you can’t get it again.
Fact: While having malaria can provide some immunity to the disease, it is possible to get infected again if bitten by an infected mosquito.