1. Patient Advice Leaflet for taking Anti-MalarialTablets
Sheffield University Health Service.
Created by RH 13 April 2017.

2. To the traveller:
Your Doctor or Nurse has recommended that you take anti-malarial tablets for some or all of your trip.

3. Please read the following information carefully, together with the patient information leaflets that are provided with your medication.

4. Malaria is a serious disease, transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

5. Travellers are advised to follow an ABCD approach to preventing malaria (Awareness, Bite avoidance, Chemoprophylaxis (antimalarial tablets) – if appropriate, and Diagnosis).
Prevent yourself from being bitten day and night as there are many mosquitoes, flies and insects that carry diseases. Use DEET 50% insect repellent. Put it ON TOP of sunscreen so that the mosquito can smell the repellent in order to be repelled.
Malaria begins with non-specific symptoms characterised by fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal discomfort and muscle aches. Cough and diarrhoea can also be seen. Symptoms can progress to high fever and severe muscle aches and pains.
All travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malaria and should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if these occur either whilst abroad or up to a year after their return.

7. The more you know about malaria, the better you can protect yourself.
Please take some time to read about protecting yourself on the following links:

8. Homeopathic remedies are NOT recommended by Public Health England, see why on the following link:
s/malaria-homeopathic-remedies/malaria- homeopathic-remedies

9. PPM’s: Personal Protective Measures
Wear long loose clothing, particularly dusk til dawn
Use 30-50% DEET insect repellent on all exposed skin.
Put it on frequently as you’ll sweat it off
Put it ON TOP of sunscreen so that the insect can smell the repellent in order to be repelled
Sleep under a mosquito net that has been treated with an insecticide. Check for any holes & repair with duct tape.
If there is air conditioning – use it! It lowers the temperature of your room and deters and disorientates the mosquitoes
Use a knock down insect repellent spray in your room
If you have electricity, use mosquito plug-ins but DO NOT rely on these as the electricity may fail

10. Failure to take the right medicine or to take it at the right dose for long enough is the most common reason for people developing malaria after returning to the UK.

11. Chloroquine (available over the counter)
A weekly medication
Take on same day each week
Start taking weekly at least 1 week before entering the malarious area
Take weekly for the whole time you are in the malarious area
Take weekly for another 4 weeks AFTER leaving the malarious area

12. Proguanil (available over the counter)
A daily medication
Start taking daily at least 1 week before entering the malarious area
Take daily for the whole time you are in the malarious area
Take daily for another 4 weeks AFTER leaving the malarious area

13. Malarone (prescription only medicine)
A daily medication
Start taking daily at least 1- 2 days before entering the malarious area
Take daily for the whole time you are in the malarious area
Take daily for another 7 days AFTER leaving the malarious area

14. Doxycycline (prescription only medicine)
A daily medication
Start taking daily at least 1- 2 days before entering the malarious area
Take daily for the whole time you are in the malarious area
Take daily for another 4 weeks AFTER leaving the malarious area

15. Mefloquine (prescription only medicine)
A weekly medication
Take on same day each week
Start taking weekly at least 2-3 weeks before entering the malarious area
Take weekly for the whole time you are in the malarious area
Take weekly for another 4 weeks AFTER leaving the malarious area