What should you know about prophylaxis against malaria?

Malaria parasites are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Prevention is tailored to the places you will visit because risk and medicine sensitivity vary between regions. A clinician also considers pregnancy, age, allergies, kidney or liver conditions and current medicines.

A preventive drug lowers risk but cannot remove it. Use repellent, cover exposed skin, sleep in a screened or protected space and follow the prescribed schedule. Some medicines begin before departure and continue after leaving the area. Destination advice is available through [Malaria Prophylaxis](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/malaria-prophylaxis/).

Book a [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) before the journey with your full itinerary and medication list. Ask how to take each dose, what to do after vomiting or a missed dose, and which effects require help. Keep taking the medicine for the advised period after travel.

Protect yourself from bites at night and whenever local advice recommends it. Carry the medicine in its labelled container, and keep a note of the countries and dates visited in case you become unwell later.

Fever after travel in a malaria-risk area needs prompt medical assessment, whether it starts during the trip or after you return. Chills, sweats, headache and muscle aches can accompany malaria, but symptoms may vary.

Tell the clinician about every destination and the dates of travel. Testing may include a [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/). Go to urgent care for confusion, breathing difficulty, fainting, severe weakness or repeated vomiting.

Ask whether your itinerary carries malaria risk, which preventive option fits your health history, when to begin it, how long to continue it and what to do if symptoms develop.