Malaria details: symptoms, testing and prevention

Malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes and can affect the blood. Symptoms may begin with fever, chills, sweating, headache, tiredness or muscle aches. A fever after travel to a malaria area deserves attention even if you used mosquito protection or preventive medicine. Symptoms can come and go, so feeling better briefly does not rule out infection.

A clinician may arrange a blood test to look for the parasite and may repeat testing when the first result does not explain ongoing symptoms. Tell the clinician where you travelled, when you returned, and any medicines taken.

Seek same-day medical advice for a new fever after travel in a malaria-risk area. Drink fluids if you can, rest, and record temperatures and symptom changes. Do not start leftover antimalarial medicine, because the appropriate medicine depends on the parasite, travel area, health conditions and other medicines.

For future travel, arrange a travel health consultation before departure. Mosquito avoidance and prescribed malaria prophylaxis may both be advised; take prevention exactly as directed and ask what to do after returning.

Go to urgent care immediately for confusion, fainting, a seizure, trouble breathing, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, or a rapidly worsening fever. These symptoms can signal a serious illness and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Ask whether a blood test is needed now, whether repeat testing is appropriate, which warning signs require emergency help, and when it is safe to return to work or travel. Share your travel dates, mosquito exposure, pregnancy status, and complete medicine list.