What should you know about malaria chemoprophylaxis for travellers?

Chemoprophylaxis means taking a prescribed medicine to reduce the chance that malaria parasites establish an infection after an infected mosquito bite. The choice depends on where you are going, which areas you will visit, the season, the length and style of the trip, and factors such as pregnancy, age, kidney or liver problems, allergies, and other medicines.

No tablet replaces bite prevention. Use an effective repellent, cover exposed skin, sleep in a screened or treated room, and follow local travel-health advice. Malaria can still develop after returning, so mention recent travel if fever, chills or muscle aches occur.

Arrange a travel health consultation well before leaving so there is time to review your itinerary and start the chosen medicine when advised. Take doses exactly as prescribed, keep the schedule with your travel documents, and do not share tablets with another traveller. Tell the clinician about previous reactions and all regular medicines, including supplements.

If a dose is late or missed, follow the medicine’s specific instructions rather than doubling automatically. Continue the course for the advised period after leaving a malaria area. A travel-medicine clinician can also explain side effects and what to do if vomiting prevents a dose from staying down.

Seek urgent medical assessment for fever during travel or after visiting a malaria area, particularly when it comes with chills, confusion, marked weakness, breathing trouble or repeated vomiting. Preventive tablets lower risk but do not rule malaria out.

Tell the clinician where you travelled, when you returned, what preventive medicine you took and whether any doses were missed. A blood test may be needed, and treatment should not be delayed while trying to explain the fever at home.

Ask which prevention is appropriate for every destination on your route, when to begin and stop it, which side effects need advice, and how pregnancy, chronic conditions or current medicines affect the choice.