Anti-Malaria Treatment

This service is suitable for you if you:

• Are 17 years or older
• Are travelling to an area where there is a high risk of malaria 
• Have checked the Fit For Travel site and are travelling to a high-risk malaria area 

Please note, we can only prescribe the medications listed in our medical assessment questionnaire.

This service is not suitable for you if you:

• Are under 17 years old
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have contracted malaria in the last year
• Have severe kidney or liver disease
• Are taking certain anticoagulant medications

If you have any queries about your suitability, please contact our team for advice (info@webdoctor.ie)

This disease is widespread across the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The symptoms can develop rapidly and without prompt treatment, it can be fatal.

You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

If you are travelling to a high-risk malaria area, you should be aware of the symptoms of malaria:

• A very high temperature & feeling feverish (hot/ clammy/ shivery)
• Headaches
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy pains
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Confusion 

Symptoms generally occur between one and eight weeks after the initial mosquito bite, however, in some cases they can develop up to a year later. 

Certain groups of people are more vulnerable to more severe infection such as pregnant women & children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised (their immune system is weak).

If you think you have malaria, you need to seek urgent medical advice, wherever you are.

If you have travelled to a malaria area within the previous year, you may be at risk, even if you took anti-malaria medication during this time.

The diagnosis is usually made on your clinical history and a blood test.

The ’best’ treatment depends on where you intend to travel, how long you intend to stay and your medical history.

Certain treatments are not recommended if: 

• You are pregnant, trying to conceive breastfeeding
• You are allergic to the medication advised 
• You have significant liver or kidney disease
• You have the following conditions: 
• Lupus
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Porphyria 
• Raised intracranial pressure
• Narrowing of the oesophagus. 

Please let us know if you have any of these apply to you so we can provide safe and appropriate advice.

They can interact with some medications including anticoagulants, oral retinoids (acne treatment) and some antibiotics. 

It is essential that you let us know what medications you are taking so we can check for any potential interactions. 

Common side effects include heartburn/ indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Dizziness, low mood, and skin rashes can also occur.

If you develop any symptoms you are concerned about when taking these medications, even if they are not listed, please seek medical advice. 

Some treatments will make you more sensitive to sunlight, and therefore your skin will burn more easily in the sun. You should ensure you have appropriate clothing to cover and protect your skin and high-factor sunscreen. 

Women can experience vaginal thrush when taking this, especially for a prolonged time. 

If you develop the following symptoms you should stop this medication and seek URGENT medical advice:

• A persistent headache with blurred vision/ loss of vision and nausea/ vomiting
• A significant & persistent skin rash

For full details please read the information leaflet that comes with your medication before you start it.

The medications we prescribe are started 1-2 days before you enter the high-risk malaria area, continued for the entire duration of your stay and for either 7 or 28 days after you leave the affected area, depending on the medication prescribed. 

Full details of this will be provided on your prescription.

Ensure you complete the course. 

If you have any questions about this, please contact our support team (info@webdoctor.ie)

• Avoid mosquito bites, especially after sunset. If you are out at night wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers
• Use an insecticide spray (such as Permethrin) on clothes as mosquitoes can bite through thin layers of clothing. AVOID spraying insecticide on the skin!
• Spray pesticides in the room (especially beneath bedside lockers and other bedroom furniture), burning pyrethroid coils, and heating insecticide-coated tablets all help to repel mosquitoes
• Use an insect repellent (ideally one that contains DEET) on areas of skin that are exposed
• If you are staying in a place where there are no insect screens, you should strongly consider keeping the windows closed
• Use a mosquito net while sleeping – hint: spray insecticide on your net to further prevent mosquito bites

Vitamin B, garlic and ultrasound devices DO NOT offer protection against mosquitoes bites.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of more severe malaria infections, and where possible are advised not to travel to an area deemed to be high risk for malaria, and if necessary, a more detailed clinical assessment than we can safely provide is essential.

If this is something you would like to discuss further, we would advise that you arrange an appointment with your local GP or travel clinic.

• Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease. There is no vaccination for malaria
• Not all malaria treatments are suitable for all high-risk malaria areas. Check the Fit For Travel site for specific information on malaria in the area you are travelling to
• Things change – the treatment you used for the same area may not be suitable now. Always seek advice for each new trip
• Anti-malaria drug treatments should ALWAYS be used along with mosquito bite avoidance measures
• If you develop malaria symptoms when travelling, or when you return home, you must seek medical attention urgently, even if you have been taking antimalarial tablets

It’s important to get travel health information from a reliable source. You can find out more information about your travel destination(s), and the vaccination and health recommendations for your trip here, Travel Health Advice. Simply select your country and follow the instructions to check the region relevant to you. 

For travel health advice tailored to your destination, medical and travel needs, you can also try Webdoctor.ie’s new Travel Health Assessment service!

Simply complete our online Travel Health Assessment form, it will be reviewed by one of our doctors who will recommend vaccinations for you to consider. If you are happy with this, we will then send your prescription for these vaccinations/ medications to the participating pharmacy of your choice within the next working day.

We will also provide you with a phone number or web link to book an appointment online and have your vaccinations administered by this participating pharmacy. Please note that payment for the vaccinations is made directly to the pharmacy when attending your appointment.