What should you know about Plaquenil and malaria?

Plaquenil is the brand name commonly associated with hydroxychloroquine. Malaria is caused by parasites, and the right medicine depends on the parasite, where the infection was acquired, resistance patterns, pregnancy status and other health factors. Fever, chills and muscle aches can occur with malaria, but these symptoms have other causes too. A Blood Test is needed to investigate suspected infection and guide treatment.

If you have fever or chills after possible mosquito exposure or travel, seek medical advice promptly and describe where and when you travelled. Do not start Plaquenil from an old prescription or share it with someone else. Take malaria treatment exactly as prescribed and complete the plan unless the treating clinician changes it. Before future travel, arrange a Travel Health Consultation to discuss Malaria Prophylaxis suited to the destination and your medical history.

Get emergency help for confusion, fainting, seizures, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting or inability to drink. A rapidly worsening fever after travel also needs urgent assessment. Malaria can become serious even when early symptoms resemble a routine viral illness, so tell clinicians about travel or residence in a malaria-risk area.

Ask whether malaria testing is needed, which medicine matches the suspected parasite, whether Plaquenil is appropriate for you, and how prevention should be planned for future travel.