The precise location
Risk can differ by region, altitude, border area and season, so the full itinerary matters.
Malaria prevention
Protection that goes beyond one prescription.
Malaria risk can vary within a country. Safe prevention combines awareness, bite avoidance, appropriate antimalarial medicine when indicated and fast diagnosis if symptoms develop.
A travel-health consultation does not guarantee a vaccination, prescription, certificate or medicine. Please do not email medical details.
GMC-registered doctorsIndividual clinical assessment
CQC-registered serviceCare within a regulated setting
30+ years combined experienceExperienced GP-led care
At a glance
The details that change the plan.
Safe travel-health advice joins current destination information with the person, timing and activities behind the journey.
The individual traveller
Pregnancy, childhood, older age, immune suppression and absence of a spleen can increase risk or change medicine choices.
The complete prevention plan
Correct medicine timing, bite avoidance and knowing when fever needs urgent assessment work together.
Clinical review
One journey, assessed properly.
Advice is updated for the itinerary and then filtered through your health history, previous protection and the time left before departure.
Destination guidance informs the decision. It does not replace an individual assessment.
01
Awareness
The clinician checks current malaria advice for every relevant destination and explains your level of risk.
02
Bite prevention
Use appropriate repellent, clothing, screens and insecticide-treated nets according to current guidance.
03
Chemoprophylaxis
If tablets are recommended, suitability, interactions, start date, duration and what to do after travel are explained.
04
Diagnosis
Fever or malaria-like symptoms after exposure need prompt medical assessment with a clear travel history.
Before the appointment
Bring the journey into focus.
Accurate dates, destinations, records and medicines help the clinician give advice that is useful and safe.
Have ready
- Country, region, rural areas and altitude
- Travel dates and length of stay
- Accommodation and night-time activities
- Previous antimalarial use and side effects
- Pregnancy, medical conditions, allergies and all medicines
Important limits
- Antimalarials are not suitable or needed for every destination
- A prescription is not guaranteed
- Tablets must be taken exactly as directed before, during and after travel
- Previous residence in a malaria country does not mean you remain immune
- Symptoms abroad need local medical help; do not wait to return to the UK
A simple route
From itinerary to action.
Each step should leave you clearer about what to arrange, what remains uncertain and what to do if plans change.
Locate
Check the exact malaria risk for the full route.
Select
Consider traveller factors and the most appropriate prevention plan.
Prepare
Start any prescribed medicine on time and organise bite protection.
Respond
Seek urgent care for fever or compatible symptoms and state where you travelled.
Useful answers
Before you travel.
The right answer depends on the journey and the person taking it.
When should I ask about malaria tablets?
Ideally at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel, although advice is still worthwhile at the last minute because some options can start closer to departure.
Do I need tablets if I grew up in a malaria country?
You may no longer have useful immunity after living in the UK. Your current itinerary and health still need assessment.
Can children take antimalarials?
Some medicines can be used in children, but choice and dose depend on weight, age, destination and medical history. A clinician must assess this.
What if I miss a dose?
Follow the instructions supplied with the specific medicine and seek pharmacist or clinician advice if you are unsure. Do not double a dose unless advised.
What should I do with a fever after travel?
Seek urgent medical help if you have malaria symptoms after travel to a risk area, including within the previous 12 months. Tell the clinician exactly where and when you travelled.
Travel Clinic appointments
Start with your itinerary.
Email your name, contact details, departure date and the countries you plan to visit. Do not include symptoms, medical history or medicine details in ordinary email; the team will provide a secure route for clinical information.
Allhours GP Travel Clinic
Personal advice before travel and the right clinical route after returning.
Emailinfo@allhoursgp.com
Address22 Oxford Court,
Manchester
Manchester
TimingAim for 4–6 weeks before travel
Official guidance used for this page:
Travel requirements, outbreaks and entry rules change. Check current official destination guidance close to departure. Individual clinical advice takes priority over general website information.