Malaria Prevention

What is Malaria?

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Malaria is a serious, potentially life-threatening tropical disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is prevalent in many tropical and subtropical regions across parts of Africa,Asia, Central and South America, and Oceania.

Symptoms typically include a high fever, chills, headaches, sweats, fatigue, and muscle aches, which can quickly escalate to severe complications if left untreated.

At Livewell Clinic Pharmacy, our private Malaria Prevention Service at our Soho, London clinic provides expert travel health risk assessments, tailored advice, and appropriate antimalarial medication to protect you during your trip.

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The ABCD Approach to Malaria Prevention

 

Effective malaria prevention relies on the comprehensive ABCD approach recommended by UK travel health guidelines:

• A – Awareness: Understand your personal risk by checking whether malaria is present in the specific regions and rural areas you plan to visit.

• B – Bite Prevention: Prevent mosquito bites rigorously, especially between dusk and dawn when malaria-carrying mosquitoes are most active.

• C – Chemoprophylaxis: Take appropriate antimalarial tablets exactly as prescribed to lower your risk of infection.

• D – Diagnosis & Prompt Action: Never ignore flu-like symptoms. Seek urgent medical help immediately if you develop a fever during or even months after your return.

Antimalarial Medication Options & Schedules

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The most suitable antimalarial tablets depend on your destination's local drug resistance patterns, your medical history,and trip duration. During your consultation, our pharmacist will help select the best option:

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• Atovaquone / Proguanil (Malarone / Maloff Protect):

  • How to take: Once daily, taken with food or a milky drink.

  • Schedule: Start 1 to 2 days before entering a risk area, continue throughout your stay, and keep taking them for 7 days after leaving the risk area.

  • Key advantage: Well tolerated with a short post-travel course, making it ideal for standard holidays.

• Doxycycline:

  • How to take: Once daily (capsules should be taken with plenty of fluid while sitting or standing upright to avoid throat irritation).

  • Schedule: Start 1 to 2 days before travel, continue during your trip, and take for 4 weeks after your return.

  • Key advantage: Economical option suitable for most global destinations, though it requires sun-sensitivity precautions.

• Mefloquine (Lariam):

  • How to take: Once weekly.

  • Schedule: Start 2 to 3 weeks before travel (to check tolerability), continue weekly during your stay, and for 4 weeks after returning.

  • Key advantage: Convenient weekly dosing for longer trips, though subject to psychiatric and neurological screening.

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Essential Mosquito Bite Prevention Measures

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Antimalarials reduce your risk of contracting malaria, but no tablet offers 100% protection. They must always be used alongside rigorous bite avoidance:

• Use DEET Repellents: Apply an effective insect repellent containing 50% DEET to exposed skin and reapply regularly.

• Cover Up: Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, particularly from dusk onwards when mosquitoes feed.

• Sleep Protected: Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net if your accommodation is not air-conditioned or fully screened.

• Use Insecticides: Burn mosquito coils or use plug-in vaporisers in your room.

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​​​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Do I definitely need malaria tablets for my trip?

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Not every tropical destination has a malaria risk, and risk levels can vary widely within the same country. A personalized risk assessment based on your exact itinerary, season of travel, and activities is necessary to determine if antimalarials are required.

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Can I get malaria tablets on the NHS?

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No. Antimalarial medications for travel prophylaxis are not prescribed or reimbursed under the NHS and must be obtained privately.

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What should I do if I get a fever after travelling?

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If you develop a fever, flu-like illness, shivers, or headaches during your trip or up to a year after returning, you must seek urgent medical assistance immediately. Inform the doctor that you have travelled to a malaria-risk zone, even if you took preventative tablets and completed the full course.

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Who should NOT take certain antimalarials?

Suitability depends on age, pregnancy status, breastfeeding, kidney or liver function, and underlying medical conditions (such as a history of depression or epilepsy for mefloquine). Our pharmacist will conduct a thorough clinical screening to ensure your prescribed medication is completely safe for you.

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Book Your Malaria Consultation Today

 

Plan ahead to secure your travel protection before departure:

1. Book Online: Schedule a travel health consultation via our booking platform.

2. Clinical Risk Assessment: Meet with our pharmacist at our Soho, London clinic to review your destinations and medical background.

3. Get Your Supply: Receive expert advice and pick up your prescribed antimalarial treatment on-site.