How is malaria treated?

Malaria is an infection passed by certain mosquitoes and can worsen quickly. Fever may occur with chills, muscle aches, headache, weakness or jaundice. Symptoms can begin after travel and may appear after you return. A Blood Test can look for malaria parasites and help guide treatment; a clinician may repeat testing when suspicion remains. The treatment plan depends on the species involved, where exposure occurred, resistance patterns and whether complications are present.

If malaria is possible, seek same-day medical assessment and tell the clinician every country visited, travel dates, mosquito exposure and any prevention medicine taken. Do not rely on leftover antibiotics or wait for symptoms to settle. Antimalarial doses must be taken exactly as prescribed. Severe cases may need hospital treatment through a vein, fluids, monitoring and care for affected organs. Before future travel, a Travel Health Consultation can review Malaria Prophylaxis and bite prevention.

Go to an emergency department for fever after travel to a malaria area, especially with confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, seizures, severe weakness, dark urine or jaundice. A person who is pregnant, very young, older, or immunocompromised should seek advice urgently after possible exposure. Fever can have other causes, but malaria must be ruled out promptly.

Which tests do I need and might they need repeating? Which malaria species or travel exposures are being considered? How should I take the medicine, and which symptoms mean I need hospital care? What prevention plan is suitable for my next trip?