What should you know about a leaflet about malaria?

Malaria is an infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes in some parts of the world. Symptoms may include Fever, Chills, headache, tiredness, and Muscle Aches; they can begin after leaving a risk area. Symptoms may come and go, and a person can become seriously unwell without a distinctive pattern.

A leaflet gives general guidance, but it cannot diagnose malaria or replace an assessment. Travel destination, dates, accommodation, mosquito exposure, pregnancy, and medicines all affect risk and advice.

Before travel, arrange a Travel Health Consultation early enough to discuss destination-specific prevention. Ask whether Malaria Prophylaxis is suitable, use insect repellent and covered clothing, and reduce mosquito bites with appropriate nets or screens. During or after travel, record fever and travel dates and tell a clinician where you have been.

Seek urgent medical assessment for fever or chills during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area, especially with confusion, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, faintness, severe weakness, or a seizure. Tell the service about travel immediately; do not wait for a leaflet to settle the question.

Ask whether your destination carries malaria risk, which prevention suits your medicines and health, what symptoms need urgent review, and whether a Blood Test is needed.