Malaria Prevention for Travellers
Malaria Prevention for Travellers
If you’re travelling to a country where malaria is present, it’s important to think about how you can protect yourself before you go. Malaria is an infection caused by parasites and spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
Malaria can cause serious illness and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include a high temperature, chills, headache, sweating, tiredness, sickness and muscle aches. They can develop while you’re away or after you’ve returned to the UK, so it’s important to take precautions before travelling to a malaria-risk area.
For some destinations, this may mean taking anti-malaria medication alongside taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Anti-malaria tablets
There are several medicines used to help prevent malaria, including doxycycline, atovaquone and proguanil, which come in the form of generic or branded options such as Malarone and Maloff. The most suitable option will depend on where you are travelling and your own circumstances.
Malaria risk can also vary within the same country. The area you are visiting, where you are staying and how long you’ll be there can all be taken into account when deciding what protection you may need.
It’s a good idea to arrange your travel health advice well before your departure rather than leaving it until the last minute. During a consultation, you can discuss your trip as well as any regular medication or other factors that may need to be considered.
Some anti-malaria medicines need to be started before you leave the UK and continued for a period after you return. How long you need to take them varies, so always follow the instructions provided with your medication and the advice from your pharmacist or healthcare professional.
If you’re travelling with children, are pregnant or have an existing health condition, this should also be discussed before choosing an anti-malaria medicine.
Protecting yourself from mosquito bites
Medication is only one part of malaria prevention. Avoiding mosquito bites while you’re away is just as important.
An insect repellent containing DEET can help protect exposed skin. Wearing long sleeves and trousers can also reduce the amount of skin available for mosquitoes to bite. If you’re staying somewhere where mosquitoes are present, using an insecticide-treated mosquito net can provide extra protection while you sleep.
Keeping doors and windows closed, or using screens where available, can also help reduce the number of mosquitoes getting indoors.
If you feel unwell after travelling
One of the things to remember about malaria is that symptoms can take some time to appear. You can become unwell while abroad or after returning to the UK.
If you develop a fever or feel unwell after visiting a malaria-risk area, seek medical advice promptly. Make sure you tell your healthcare professional where you have travelled and when you returned, even if your trip was several weeks or months ago.
Plan ahead
Ideally, start looking at your travel health requirements around 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This gives you time to arrange any vaccinations, medication or other travel health advice you may need.
At Peak Pharmacy, you can complete an online anti-malaria consultation for assessment by a pharmacist. If anti-malaria medication is considered suitable, the pharmacist can advise you on the available options and how they should be taken.
Checking your requirements before you travel and taking the right precautions can help you reduce your risk of malaria while you’re away.
Get Your Anti-Malaria Medication Online
Getting your anti-malaria medication arranged before you travel is simple with Peak Pharmacy. Complete our online consultation with details about yourself and your travel itinerary, and an appropriate treatment option can then be presented for you to consider.
Your consultation will be reviewed by a pharmacist, who will assess whether the recommended medication is suitable for you and your trip. Once approved, your medication will be dispatched directly to your front door in discreet packaging.
