Malaria is spread through mosquito bites. It is the female Anopheles mosquitos that carry the Plasmodium parasite which passes into the bloodstream after a bite and is responsible for causing malaria. Bites mainly occur at dusk and at night. Signs and symptoms of malaria typically present 7-18 days after becoming infected and include fever accompanied by sweats and chills, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. However, in some cases symptoms may not present for up to a year.

The medications available to prevent malaria include:

• Tovaquone plus Proguanil (also known as Malarone)
• Chloroquine (also known as Avloclor tablets and Nivaquine syrup)
• Doxycycline (also known as Vibramycin-D)
• Mefloquine (also known as Lariam)
• Proguanil (also known as Paludrine)

The pharmacist you see at our travel clinic will be able to advise you on and provide you with the most appropriate form of malaria prevention, accounting for your age, any pre-existing medical conditions you may have, current medications you may take, pregnancy and the destination you plan to visit.