Malaria
The possible side effects of malaria can be serious, so you will usually have to stay in hospital for observation while you are being treated.
Malaria is almost always curable using anti-malarial medicine, such as chloroquine, amodiaquine, doxycycline and mefloquine. The healthcare professional who is treating you will need to identify the type of malaria you have before deciding on the best type of medicine to prescribe. If malaria is suspected, it is very important that a quick diagnosis is made
See the Health A-Z topic about Malaria - treatment for more information and advice.
HIV and AIDS
It is sometimes possible to halt the development of HIV in the first 72 hours after infection. This is known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP involves taking anti-HIV medicines for four weeks.
PEP is often used when a person knows that they have definitely been exposed to the HIV virus. This could be if they had sex with someone who they knew had the HIV virus and the condom broke, or they were accidentally stabbed with an HIV infected needle.
However, PEP is not guaranteed to work and the medicines that are used often cause unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches.
In some parts of the world, access to PEP may be limited or very expensive. Therefore, it may be a good idea to take out comprehensive travel insurance so that you can be flown back to the UK if HIV exposure occurs.
See the Health A-Z topic about HIV and AIDS - treatment for more information and advice.
Sunburn
Calamine lotion, available from pharmacies and supermarkets, may help cool your skin and reduce the itching caused by sunburn. You can also buy aftersun lotions, gels and sprays, which cool and moisturise the skin and help prevent peeling and blistering.
If you have severe sunburn, you may need to take painkillers, such as paracetamol or antihistamines. If you have very severe sunburn, you may require hospital treatment. It is important to avoid any further exposure to the sun until the burns have healed.
See the Health A-Z topic about Sunburn - treatment for more information and advice.
Heatstroke
If you think someone you are with has heatstroke, get them to a cool place as soon as possible. If their skin is dry and hot and is over 39.5C (103.1F), shower or immerse them in cool, but not cold, water (15-18C or 59-64.4F). Gently massage their skin to encourage circulation.
If they start to have convulsions (shake), move nearby objects out of the way to prevent injury occurring, but do not use force or put anything in their mouth. If they are unconscious and vomiting, move them into the recovery position by turning them on their side and making sure their airways are clear. You can also cover them with wet towels or sheets and fan them until it is possible to get them to a hospital or to see a healthcare professional.
If their skin temperature is above 41C (105.8F), they are in a critical condition and require immediate emergency medical attention.
See the Health A-Z topic about Heatstroke - treatment for more information and advice.
Travellers’ diarrhoea
Most cases of traveller’s diarrhoea resolve themselves in three to five days without the need for treatment. Taking paracetamol or over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, such as Diocalm, may relieve your discomfort.
If you have had persistent diarrhoea, you may need to replace lost fluids with rehydration drinks. If your stomach upset lasts for longer than three days, seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. Anti-diarrhoea medications should be used with caution and only for a short time.
If your diarrhoea is caused by an infection, the medication can slow the flushing-out process of the micro-organisms from the intestine. Drink plenty of water if you take anti-diarrhoea medicines.
See the A-Z topic about Travellers' diarrhoea - treatment for more information and advice.
