What should you know about malaria prophylaxis?

Malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes in some regions. Prevention can combine an antimalarial medicine with bite avoidance, because no tablet replaces protective clothing, repellent, and screened or air-conditioned sleeping spaces.

A clinician considers the areas you will visit, rural or urban activities, length and style of travel, pregnancy or plans for pregnancy, age, kidney or liver problems, medicine interactions, and previous reactions. Different medicines have different timing, precautions, and side effects.

Arrange a travel health consultation early enough to choose and start the recommended medicine before entering a malaria-risk area. Take it exactly as prescribed and continue for the advised period after leaving when required. Carry the medicine in its original packaging and keep a written record of the generic name.

Reduce mosquito bites from dusk through dawn with repellent, long sleeves and trousers, and a treated bed net where appropriate. Fever during travel or after returning deserves prompt medical assessment; mention the countries visited and the dates of travel.

Seek urgent medical care for fever, chills, headache, marked weakness, confusion, breathing difficulty, or repeated vomiting during travel or after visiting a malaria area. Malaria can worsen quickly, and symptoms may begin after you return. Do not stop prescribed prevention because you feel well or because mosquitoes were not noticed.

Ask which destinations on your route carry risk, when to begin and stop the medicine, what to do after a missed dose, and which side effects require a change of plan.