Help stop this preventable and treatable disease with these tips. You will need Internet access

Preventative medication Insecticide-treated bed net Indoor residual spraying Long clothes

Bug spray with DEET Donations and medical attention (optional). Step 1. Identify where

malaria is most prevalent; sub-Saharan Africa, tropical areas of South America and Asia,

and the Indian subcontinent all harbor the parasite that causes the disease. If you're

traveling abroad, check online for the risks in your specific destination. Step 2. Traveling

to a malarial hotspot? Have your doctor prescribe preventative medication well in advance of

your trip. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or have any pre-existing conditions to ensure

you receive the most effective prescription possible. You can still contract malaria even

when taking preventative medication. If you have a combination of fever, chills, sweats,

nausea, headaches, and body aches, seek immediate medical attention. Step 3. Hang an insecticide-treated

mosquito net above your bed to create a barrier between your skin and the insects; the insecticide

will kill even those mosquitoes that get through the net's small holes. Step 4. Wear long sleeves

and long pants as often as possible, and use insect repellant with DEET or Picaridin on

clothing and any exposed skin to limit exposure and help prevent bites. Drain areas of standing

water to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. Consult the

directions on bug spray bottles to ensure safe use. Step 5. Subject rooms to indoor

residual spraying, the application of long-acting chemical insecticides; this reduces the lifespan

and population density of dangerous mosquitoes and limits the possibility of their coming

into contact with humans. Step 6. Make a wider impact -- donate money or volunteer with organizations

dedicated to stopping the spread of malaria, and help create a healthier world. Did you

know Insecticide-treated bed nets, if used by the total population, have been shown to

lower the spread of malaria by 90 percent.