Malaria Tablets

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Five parasite species cause malaria in humans, and two of these species p.falciparum and p.vivax pose the highest threat.

In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide and 409,000 deaths. Children aged under five years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.

Preventive measures include taking antimalarial medication before travelling and using insect repellent outdoors where mosquitoes may be present. Other effective methods include sleeping under a mosquito net at night and wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers outdoors during peak biting times around dawn or dusk. Travellers must also return home promptly if they develop symptoms suggestive of malaria within three months of returning from their trip, as prompt diagnosis and treatment could save lives.

If you're travelling to an area where malaria is found, get advice from our travel specialist through our travel health advice service before you go. It is 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.

Our travel specialist will check the risk of malaria and the type of activities you will carry out to decide if antimalarial drugs are required. You may be prescribed antimalarial tablets to reduce the risk of malaria and told how to prevent mosquito bites.

To reduce your risk of getting malaria while abroad, you should:

• 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

• 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

Who's most at risk?

It's crucial to get advice before you travel if you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from malaria. This includes:

• If you're pregnant

• Young children

• People aged over 65

• If you have a weak immune system

• If you have no spleen

You may be prescribed antimalarial medicine even if travelling to a low-risk area.

• Select your service option and book an appointment

• Follow the link in your booking confirmation email to fill out the patient questionnaire (at least 12 hours before your appointment)

• One of our travel specialists will review the completed questionnaire and contact you to discuss this

• Visit the branch at the selected date and time to receive your treatment

Which malaria tablets you can use depends primarily on where you travel. The malaria parasite in some parts of the world has developed a resistance to chloroquine. If you travel to any of these countries, you must take Malarone or doxycycline to be protected.

During your consultation, our travel specialist will tell you which antimalarials are suitable for the country or countries you’re travelling to. You can also check malaria advice for your destination by searching for the country name here.

Which tablets are best for you also depends on your medical history and your planned activities. Doxycycline can increase your sensitivity to sunlight and may therefore be less suitable if you’re likely to spend extended periods in the sun.

Suppose several types of malaria tablets are suitable for your itinerary. In that case, you can choose whichever you prefer – some travellers prefer to take tablets daily. In contrast, others find it easier to remember to take their medication if it’s taken weekly.

Malaria is widespread in certain parts of the world. It is found in tropical regions, including:

• Large areas of Africa and Asia

• Central and South America

• Dominican Republic and Haiti

• Parts of the Middle East

• Some Pacific islands

In 2019, five countries accounted for nearly 51% of all malaria cases worldwide: Nigeria (27%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%), Uganda (5%), Mozambique (4%) and Niger (3%).

Malaria is not found in the UK, and you cannot catch it from another person.