Malaria and pregnancy

Pregnancy can alter immune responses, and malaria may cause significant illness even when early symptoms seem mild. Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, weakness, or vomiting can occur. Infection may also affect the placenta and contribute to problems for the baby, including reduced growth or early birth. A pregnant person with possible exposure should tell a clinician promptly, especially after travel to a malaria area.

Contact your maternity or medical team urgently if malaria is possible; do not wait for symptoms to become severe. A Blood Test can help check for infection, but treatment decisions must account for pregnancy stage, illness severity, travel location, and medicine safety. Take only the medicines recommended for you and complete the prescribed course. Before travel, arrange a Travel Health Consultation and ask about Malaria Prophylaxis suitable for pregnancy. Use bite prevention measures such as covered clothing, insect repellent advised for pregnancy, and screened or protected sleeping areas.

Seek emergency care for fever or chills during pregnancy after possible malaria exposure, particularly with confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, bleeding, abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, or inability to drink. Tell the team about pregnancy, travel dates, prior malaria, current medicines, and when symptoms began. Do not rely on a home temperature reading to rule out malaria.

Which tests are needed now? Which treatment is suitable at my stage of pregnancy? How should I monitor fetal movement and fever? What prevention plan is appropriate for a future trip?