Malaria is a serious parasitic disease spread by mosquito bites. It’s caused by tiny parasites that live in certain mosquitoes’ saliva. When an infected mosquito bites you, the parasites enter your bloodstream and multiply in your liver and blood cells. Malaria causes high fever, chills, sweats, and body aches—symptoms that can appear 7-30 days after infection. Without treatment, malaria can be fatal. However, with proper prevention (antimalarial medication) and early treatment, it’s preventable and curable. It’s a real health risk in tropical and subtropical regions but entirely avoidable with the right precautions.

Anyone traveling to malaria-endemic areas (mostly Africa, parts of Asia, Central/South America, and the Pacific). Risk varies by region—some areas have high risk, others low risk. Your destination determines whether you need prevention. Malaria doesn’t occur in Europe, North America, or Australia. Our doctors assess your travel destination and recommend appropriate prevention.

Only through mosquito bites—specifically, female Anopheles mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites. You cannot catch malaria from another person, contaminated food, or water. The mosquitoes that carry malaria typically bite between dusk and dawn. Preventing mosquito bites through repellent, netting, and clothing significantly reduces risk, alongside antimalarial medication.

Antimalarial medication (like Doxycycline) is highly effective (90-95% protective) but not 100% guaranteed. If you develop fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms weeks after travel, see a doctor immediately and mention your travel history. Malaria is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. Without treatment, it can become serious. This is why seeing a doctor promptly with fever after tropical travel is crucial—mention where you traveled so they test for malaria.