Malaria Prevention
Malaria Prevention & Antimalarial Treatment
Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease that can be life-threatening if not prevented or treated promptly. Travellers to malaria-risk areas are strongly advised to take antimalarial medication before, during, and after their trip to protect against infection. Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, and flu-like illness, which can develop rapidly and become severe without proper prevention.
At Peak Pharmacy, you can access a range of effective antimalarial medications through a simple online doctor assessment. Our regulated service ensures you receive the correct treatment for your destination, health history, and travel plans. With confidential and convenient online access, you can buy antimalarial medication safely and get peace of mind before you travel. Start your assessment today and prepare for your trip with reliable malaria protection.
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What is malaria, and how is it transmitted?
Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. When an infected mosquito bites, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver, where it develops before re-entering the blood and causing symptoms. Malaria cannot be passed directly between people in everyday contact; it requires a mosquito to transmit the parasite. Without proper prevention and prompt treatment, malaria can cause severe illness, organ failure or death.
Can I buy malaria tablets over the counter?
Only Maloff Protect (containing atovaquone and proguanil, the same active ingredients as Malarone) can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription. Most other antimalarials are prescription-only medicines. These include generic atovaquone/proguanil, branded Malarone, doxycycline and mefloquine (Lariam). Through Peak Pharmacy's online doctor service, you can complete a consultation and receive a prescription for the antimalarial that is most appropriate for your destination and medical history, with your tablets delivered directly to your door.
Which malaria tablet is best?
The best antimalarial for you depends on where you are travelling, how long you will be away, your medical history and any medications you currently take. For most travellers, daily atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone or its generic equivalent) is the most widely recommended option. It is effective against all common strains of malaria, has relatively few side effects and only needs to be continued for seven days after leaving a malaria zone. Doxycycline is an affordable alternative, but it must be continued for four weeks after travel and can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Mefloquine (Lariam) is taken weekly, which some travellers prefer, but it is not suitable for everyone and can cause neuropsychiatric side effects in some people. Our pharmacist team can provide personalised guidance based on your specific trip.
Do I take this weekly or daily?
It depends on the medication. Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) and doxycycline are taken once daily. Malarone is started one to two days before entering a malaria zone and continued for seven days after leaving. Doxycycline is started one to two days before travel and continued for four weeks after your return. Mefloquine (Lariam) is taken once a week, starting one to two weeks before travel and continuing for four weeks after leaving the malaria area. The weekly dosing can be more convenient for longer trips, but it is important to start early enough to check for side effects before you travel.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
Malaria symptoms are often flu-like and can be easy to mistake for other illnesses. The most common symptoms include a high temperature (38°C or above), chills and sweating, headaches, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. With some types of malaria, symptoms can occur in cycles every two to three days, with episodes of feeling cold, then very hot and exhausted, typically lasting six to 12 hours. Symptoms usually appear 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but in some cases, they can take weeks or even months to develop. If you experience any of these symptoms within 12 months of visiting a malaria-risk area, seek urgent medical attention immediately, even if you took antimalarial tablets.
How does malaria affect the body?
When the malaria parasite enters the bloodstream, it infects and destroys red blood cells, which can lead to severe anaemia. The most dangerous form of malaria, caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, can cause serious complications if not treated quickly. These include breathing difficulties, low blood sugar, organ failure (particularly the kidneys and liver), cerebral malaria (affecting the brain, causing confusion, seizures or coma) and, in the most severe cases, death. This is why malaria is treated as a medical emergency. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical; the vast majority of people who receive timely treatment make a full recovery.
How long does malaria last?
With prompt and appropriate treatment, uncomplicated malaria typically resolves within two to four weeks. However, some types of malaria caused by the Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale parasites can remain dormant in the liver and cause relapses weeks, months or even years after the initial infection. Severe or complicated malaria may require hospitalisation and a longer recovery period. Even after treatment, many people feel fatigued and weak for several weeks. If you have had malaria and experience a return of symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. Having had malaria once does not make you immune; you can be infected again on future trips.
How is malaria diagnosed?
Malaria is diagnosed through a blood test, which can be a microscopic examination of a blood film or a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Both methods detect the malaria parasite in the blood. If you visit a doctor or hospital with symptoms and a recent travel history to a malaria-risk area, a blood test should be carried out urgently. Results from a rapid test can be available within minutes, while a blood film examined under a microscope provides a more detailed result and is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Malaria is a medical emergency, so if you suspect you may have it, seek medical attention on the same day symptoms appear; do not wait.
How can I prevent malaria when travelling?
Malaria prevention follows what is known as the ABCD approach. Awareness: Check whether your destination carries a malaria risk before you travel, ideally four to six weeks in advance. Bite prevention, use insect repellent containing DEET, wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers in the evenings, and sleep under a treated mosquito net. Chemoprophylaxis: take the right antimalarial tablets for your destination, at the correct dose, and complete the full course, including the days or weeks after your return. Diagnosis, seek immediate medical help if you develop symptoms within 12 months of returning from a malaria-risk area. No antimalarial is 100% effective, which is why combining tablets with bite prevention measures is essential.
How is malaria treated if I catch it?
If you contract malaria, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Malaria is treated with antimalarial medications, usually in tablet or capsule form. The specific treatment depends on the type of Plasmodium parasite involved and the severity of the infection. Uncomplicated malaria can often be treated at home under medical supervision. Severe falciparum malaria usually requires hospitalisation and may be treated with intravenous antimalarial drugs. If you develop malaria symptoms while abroad, seek local medical help immediately, do not wait until you return to the UK. Early treatment is the most important factor in a full recovery.
When should I start taking malaria tablets before my trip?
The timing depends on which antimalarial you are prescribed. Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) should be started one to two days before entering a malaria zone. Doxycycline should also be started one to two days before travel. Mefloquine (Lariam) needs to be started one to two weeks before travel, partly to allow time to check for any side effects before you depart. It is best to arrange your antimalarial prescription at least four to six weeks before your trip, but last-minute travellers can still get advice and tablets at shorter notice through Peak Pharmacy's online service.
Do I need malaria tablets for all tropical destinations?
No. Not all tropical or subtropical countries carry a malaria risk, and within countries that do, the risk can vary significantly by region and time of year. For example, malaria is a significant risk across much of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South and Southeast Asia, and areas of Central and South America, but many popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, North Africa and parts of Southeast Asia are considered low-risk or malaria-free. You should check the specific recommendations for your destination on the Travel Health Pro website or consult with a pharmacist before your trip.
What happens if I forget to take a malaria tablet?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and carry on as normal, do not take a double dose. Missing doses reduces the effectiveness of your antimalarial protection and increases your risk of contracting malaria. If you have missed several doses or are unsure what to do, contact a pharmacist for advice. It is also important to continue taking your tablets for the full course after leaving the malaria area, stopping early is one of the most common reasons people contract malaria despite taking medication.
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