What should you know about BT malaria?

Malaria is an infection that can cause fever, chills, sweating, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may begin after a delay following a mosquito bite, and they can resemble other illnesses. Tell the clinician every country visited, the travel dates, mosquito exposure and any prevention medicine used. A blood test looks for evidence of the parasite; early illness may require repeat assessment if symptoms continue.

Seek same-day medical advice for fever or flu-like illness after travel in a malaria area, even if you took preventive medicine. Take your travel and medicine details with you and do not rely on leftover antibiotics or another person's treatment. A travel health consultation before future trips can review destination-specific prevention, insect protection and prescribed prophylaxis.

Go to emergency care for confusion, fainting, seizures, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting or inability to drink. A rapidly worsening fever with drowsiness is also urgent. Malaria can become serious, so do not wait for symptoms to settle if recent travel makes exposure possible.

Ask which blood tests are needed, when results will be reviewed, whether repeat testing is required and how to prevent another exposure.