What should you know about seasonal malaria chemoprevention?

Chemoprevention means taking an antimalarial medicine before illness develops, at intervals set by a local programme or clinician. Eligibility, medicine choice, timing, and dosing depend on age, pregnancy status, other medicines, allergies, and the malaria pattern where a person lives or travels. It is different from treating established [Malaria](/conditions/malaria/).

Preventive medicine does not replace measures that reduce mosquito bites. Use a recommended repellent, long clothing, screens, and bed nets where advised. No preventive plan removes the need to assess a new illness.

Before a seasonal course, speak with a qualified clinician about the correct medicine and schedule. Take each course exactly as directed, do not share tablets, and report vomiting, rash, yellowing of the skin, severe dizziness, or other unexpected effects. A [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) can help if travel changes your exposure.

Fever, [Chills](/symptoms/chills/), or [Muscle Aches](/symptoms/muscle-aches/) during or after a risk period need medical assessment, even if preventive medicine was taken. A [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) may be used when malaria is suspected.

Seek urgent care for fever with confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, seizures, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. Malaria can worsen quickly, and fever after travel or residence in a malaria area should be assessed promptly rather than managed only at home.

Ask whether you qualify for seasonal chemoprevention, which schedule applies, what interactions or contraindications matter, how to handle a missed dose, and what symptoms require testing.