What should you know about SOP malaria?

Malaria is an infection transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, chills, sweating, headache, tiredness and muscle aches. They may appear after travel and can fluctuate, so feeling better between episodes does not rule it out. A clinician will consider your travel history, timing of symptoms, medicines and other possible causes. A blood test can look for malaria parasites and may need to be repeated if symptoms continue or the first result does not explain them.

If malaria is possible, seek medical assessment promptly and mention every country or region visited, including when you returned. Do not self-treat with leftover medicines. Take prescribed antimalarial treatment exactly as directed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes it. Rest, drink fluids if you can, and reduce mosquito exposure with covered skin, repellent and suitable screening. A travel health consultation before future travel can help decide whether malaria prophylaxis is appropriate.

Get urgent medical help for fever after travel to a malaria-risk area, particularly if there is confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, a seizure or inability to drink. Malaria can worsen quickly in some people. Emergency assessment is also appropriate if a child, pregnant person or person with significant long-term illness develops a compatible illness after travel. Tell the service about the travel history before arrival if possible.

Ask which test is needed, whether it should be repeated, how soon treatment should start, which warning signs require emergency care, and how to prevent malaria on your next trip.