Malaria is a serious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. If malaria is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can be fatal.
A single mosquito bite is all it takes for someone to become infected.
Symptoms of malaria
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of malaria if you are travelling to areas where there is a high malaria risk (see below). Symptoms include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- vomiting
- sweats and chills
- muscle pains
- headaches
- diarrhoea
Symptoms can develop as quickly as seven days after being bitten, although they usually appear between 10 to 15 days afterwards.
In some cases, the symptoms may not appear for up to a year or, occasionally, even longer.
When to seek medical attention
Go to see a doctor if you develop the symptoms of malaria, even if it's several months after your trip.
If you are abroad and start to experience malaria-like symptoms, go to the nearest medical centre or hospital. A blood sample will be taken to test for malaria.
Read more about diagnosing malaria.
Malaria risk areas
Malaria is found in more than 100 countries, mainly in tropical regions of the world including:
- large areas of Africa and Asia
- Central and South America
- Haiti and the Dominican Republic
- parts of the Middle East
- some Pacific islands, such as Papua New Guinea
Malaria is not a problem in the UK. More information about the risk of malaria in specific countries can be found on the Fit for Travel website.
What causes malaria?
Malaria is caused by a type of parasite known as Plasmodium. There are many different types of Plasmodia parasites, but only five cause malaria in humans.
The Plasmodium parasite is mainly spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are night-biting mosquitos. When an infected mosquito bites, it injects the parasites into your body.
Read more information about the causes of malaria and how it is spread.
Treating malaria
If malaria is diagnosed and treated promptly, virtually everyone will make a full recovery. Treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis has been confirmed.
Anti-malarial medication is used both to treat and prevent malaria. Which drug used and the length of treatment will depend on:
- the type of malaria
- the severity of your symptoms
- where you caught malaria
- whether you have taken an anti-malarial to prevent malaria
- whether you are pregnant
Read more about treating malaria.
Complications of malaria
Malaria is a serious illness and can be fatal. It can also cause serious complications including:
- severe anaemia: where red blood cells are unable to carry enough oxygen around the body, leading to drowsiness and weakness
- cerebral malaria: in rare cases, the small blood vessels leading to the brain can become blocked, causing seizures, brain damage and coma
Read more about the complications of malaria.
Preventing malaria
In 2010, more than 1,700 travellers were diagnosed with malaria after returning to the UK. Seven people died.
Many cases of malaria can be avoided. An easy way to remember is the ABCD approach to prevention:
- Awareness of risk: find out whether you're at risk of getting malaria before travelling.
- Bite prevention: avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, covering your arms and legs and using an insecticide- treated mosquito net.
- Check whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets: if you do, ensure you take the right antimalarial tablets, at the right dose and that you finish the course.
- Diagnosis: seek immediate medical advice if you develop malaria-like symptoms, including up to a year after you return from travelling.
Speak to your GP if you are planning to visit an area where there is a malaria risk. It may be recommended that you take antimalarial tablets to prevent infection.
Read more about preventing malaria.
