What should you know about dawa ya malaria?

Malaria is an infection spread by infected mosquitoes. It can cause fever, chills, sweating, headache, weakness and muscle aches, although symptoms may vary. Different malaria parasites and local drug resistance influence the medicine chosen. A clinician may use a blood test to look for infection and may repeat testing if symptoms continue. A medicine bought without an assessment may be ineffective or unsafe, and treatment for one person should not be shared with another. Malaria can become serious quickly, especially after travel to a malaria area.

Tell a clinician about every country visited, the dates of travel, mosquito bites, previous malaria and any medicines already taken. Seek testing promptly for fever during travel or after returning from a malaria area. Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes it. For future journeys, ask about malaria prophylaxis, mosquito repellent, long sleeves, bed nets and a travel health consultation. Prevention tablets do not replace bite protection and are not interchangeable.

Get urgent medical help for fever after travel to a malaria area, particularly with confusion, fainting, breathing trouble, repeated vomiting, seizures, yellowing of the skin or severe weakness. Chills and muscle aches can occur with malaria but do not confirm it. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe or rely on home treatment when malaria is possible.

Ask which blood test is needed, when results should be repeated, how to take the prescribed medicine, and which side effects require help. Before travel, ask which malaria prophylaxis fits your destination, itinerary, pregnancy status and other medicines.