Visiting a travel health clinic after booking your holiday is essential not only to ensure that you have all of the vaccinations you need booked so they are in effect before you go, but also have access to any medication you need before, during and after your holiday.
One major example of what a travel clinic can do for you is to ensure you have access to tablets that can help reduce the risk of malaria, a potentially deadly infection spread by mosquitoes found in many tropical regions around the world.
What is malaria, where is it found, what treatments are available and how can you get access to them?
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a group of similar parasitic infections spread by mosquitoes that can be serious, if not life-threatening if not treated once symptoms start to appear.
Its symptoms are commonly described as flu-like, including headaches, nausea, sickness, muscle pains and fatigue.
They often include a fever, shivering and sweating, something that is commonly associated with flu-like conditions.
As well as this, some people notice yellowing skin or jaundice in the whites of the eyes.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, so if you have a mosquito bite and feel generally unwell, it is important to get yourself checked as soon as possible.
Typically, babies, children, pregnant people, people who are immunocompromised, people without a spleen and people with certain medical conditions are at a greater risk of severe symptoms and should seek advice from a travel clinic before travelling.
How Is Malaria Contracted?
Malaria is only spread by infected mosquitoes who bite at the skin. One bite can be enough to contract it, although this can vary depending on how common malaria is in the region and whether you are protected through medication or vaccination.
It can only be found in certain regions, is not found in the UK and cannot be spread from person to person.
Once you contract malaria you will have some protection from it, but this immunity will decrease if you live in a country that has low or no risk of the disease.
You are more likely to catch it if you stay in rural areas for a long time, are staying for a long time in a high-risk area or are travelling to visit relatives or friends.
Where Is Malaria Found?
Malaria can be found in many tropical countries, although the level of risk and areas most at risk can change depending on the season. Your local travel clinic can provide advice on high-risk areas for malaria and the NHS Fit For Travel website has risk maps for every country in the world.
It is found in a significant part of Asia and Africa, as well as some parts of the Middle East, some countries in Central and South America, some of the Pacific Islands, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
What Protection Against Malaria Is Available?
The main form of protection from malaria is a mix of prevention, insect repellent and antimalarial tablets, all of which are available from travel pharmacies alongside advice on how to avoid any infections.
Depending on where you go, you may be prescribed specific antimalarial medicines which help to stop the parasites from developing into a malaria infection, although they typically take effect in different ways and at different stages of the infection.
Most courses of antimalarial medication should be taken a few days before you travel to build up enough of a resistance to prevent infection, although this can of course vary depending on the type of medication you are prescribed.
Even once you return, you may still need to complete the course of medication to stop any parasitic infections from developing.
This is usually used in combination with bite prevention, which involves the use of mosquito repellent, fly paper, mosquito nets and long sleeve loose fitting clothing to reduce the amount of skin exposed to bites in the first place.
Some clothes are available that are designed to repel mosquitoes as well, and a travel clinic can provide advice on what to look for if you go down this route.
There is also a malaria vaccination that was first used in 2021, but this is typically provided to children and adults living in areas at high risk of malaria.
How Is Malaria Treated?
Malaria is treated in hospitals with a range of antimalarial medications based on the type of infection, with many people staying in the hospital for observation and specialist care.
Quick treatment saves lives, which is why people should err on the side of caution if they have travelled to a malaria area and start to feel unwell.