Malaria
Overview
Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes found in some parts of the world. You can die from it if it's not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Symptoms
Malaria can be hard to spot, but symptoms include: a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shiverysweatingheadaches and feeling confusedfeeling very tired and sleepy (especially in children)feeling and being sick, tummy pain and diarrhoealoss of appetitemuscle painsyellow whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice), although this may be less noticeable on brown or black skina sore throat, cough and difficulty breathing These symptoms usually appear between 7 and 18 days after you've been bitten by an infected mosquito. But sometimes you may not have symptoms for months after travel, and rarely years.
Causes
Plasmodium parasite spread by mosquito bites. Risk in tropical areas (Africa/Asia/South America).
Treatment
Malaria is an emergency and needs to be treated quickly. It's treated with antimalarial medicines. Some people may need to stay in hospital to have specialist care and treatment. Malaria can sometimes come back and will need to be treated again if this happens.
Prevention
If you're travelling to an area where malaria is found, get advice from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic before you go. It's best to do this at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, but you can still get advice at the last minute if you need to. You may be prescribed antimalarial tablets to reduce the risk of getting malaria and told how you can prevent mosquito bites. take any antimalarial medicine you're prescribed – you usually need to start taking it a few days or weeks before you go, until a few weeks after you get back take any antimalarial medicine you're prescribed – you usually need to start taking it a few days or weeks before you go, until a few weeks after you get back use insect repellent on your skin – make sure it's 50% DEET-based use insect repellent on your skin – make sure it's 50% DEET-based sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs in the evening, when mosquitos are most active wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs in the evening, when mosquitos are most active
When to see a doctor
URGENT: Fever after visiting malaria area (even if taking tablets). Go to A&E or GP immediately.