Malaria
Malaria is a disease which is spread by night biting mosquitos that inject a parasite into the body. Malaria is found in tropical areas of the world such as Africa, Asia, central South America and parts of the Middle East.
Symptoms of malaria usually appear 7 – 18 days of being bitten but they can lay dormant for up to a year depending on the type of parasite. If Malaria isn’t treated quickly, it can be fatal.
If the individual is travelling to countries other than those in Europe or western countries, they should seek advice on whether they need anti-malarial tablets which will help prevent infection. Pharmacy will often be the first port of call for travellers needing advice on treatments, so ensure you are able to obtain all necessary information on their travel plans as this will help the pharmacist and speed up the process for the individual.
Depending on the country, they may need to start taking anti-malarials 1-2 weeks before travelling.