What should you know about tropical malaria?

Malaria parasites enter the bloodstream after the bite of an infected mosquito. Fever, chills, sweating, headache, weakness and muscle aches can appear, sometimes in episodes. Symptoms may begin after you return home, so tell a clinician about recent travel even if the trip was not recent. A fever after travel can have many causes; it does not by itself identify malaria.

A clinician may arrange a [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) to look for malaria parasites. Further testing may be needed when the first result does not explain the illness.

Seek same-day medical advice for fever, chills or flu-like illness after visiting a malaria-risk area. Share your travel dates, destinations, mosquito-bite history and any prevention medicine you took. Do not rely on leftover medicines or delay assessment while waiting for symptoms to settle.

For future travel, a [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) can review destination-specific precautions. [Malaria Prophylaxis](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/malaria-prophylaxis/) may be appropriate for some travellers, alongside bite prevention.

Get emergency help for confusion, fainting, seizures, severe weakness, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting or difficulty staying awake. Malaria can worsen rapidly, and urgent assessment is needed even if a previous test was negative or symptoms briefly improve.

Ask which tests are needed, whether repeat testing is necessary, which warning signs should prompt emergency care, and how to prevent malaria on a future journey.