Anti Malaria

What is Malaria? 

Malaria is a very serious tropical disease that is found in more than 100 countries around the world. It is common in parts of African and Asia, the Middle East, Dominican Republic, Haiti and other locations. It is spread by mosquitoes and can be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated in time.

There are various anti-malaria tablets available to buy, some of which can be used to prevent malaria while other tablets treat the problem in those who have contracted the disease already. You can buy malaria tablets from Medicine Direct's online pharmacy following a consultation with an online doctor.

Malaria prevention tablets will be prescribed to be taken before you travel to a high risk area, giving the tablets time to take effect in your system, helping you to fight off the malaria disease should you contract it while you are abroad.

Order anti-malaria tablets online today. We offer a range of treatments with next day delivery options.

Symptoms of Malaria

It is important to be aware of the early signs of malaria so that you can immediately seek medical help if you begin to experience them. If recognised and treated quickly enough, full recoveries can be made.

Symptoms include:

• High temperatures of 38C or above
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Muscle pains
• Diarrhoea
• Shivering and feeling feverish

If you have been bitten by an infected mosquito, these symptoms generally begin to show around a week to 18 days later. Typically, the symptoms appear in cycles of 2 days, fluctuating between feeling cold and shivering and then feeling severely fatigued. In some instances, your symptoms may not appear for up to a year, or even longer in rare cases.

When to see a doctor

You must seek medical attention straight away if you develop any symptoms of malaria either during or after a visit to an area that poses a risk of catching the disease.

Even if it has been several weeks, months or even a year after returning from a foreign country, you still need to seek medical help if you are exhibiting any of the above symptoms.

If you do exhibit symptoms and there is a possibility of malaria, your doctor will order a blood test to confirm whether or not you have the disease. Your results should come back the very same day and, if you do have malaria your treatment will begin straight away, too.

Causes of Malaria

Malaria is caused by a type of parasite that is known as Plasmodia; these parasites come in many different types, but only five of them can cause malaria in humans.

This parasite is manly spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are most commonly known to bite humans at dusk and during the night. If you are bitten by an infected mosquito, these parasites are passed into the bloodstream.

Another way malaria can be spread is through blood transfusions and the sharing of needles. However, these cases are very rare.

Countries that are high-risk for malaria

Malaria is found in more than 100 countries around the world, mostly in tropical regions.

In particular, malaria is commonly found in:

• Haiti and the Dominican Republic
• Some Pacific islands
• Large areas of Asia and Africa
• Central and South America
• Parts of the Middle East

Malaria is not found in the UK, although it may be diagnosed in travellers who have come back to the UK after visiting a country that poses a risk.

Malaria Diagnosis

Your doctor will need to carry out a test to positively diagnose a case of malaria. Blood tests can help to show:

• If the parasite is present in your bloodstream, which will confirm that you do have malaria
• Which type of malaria parasite is responsible for your symptoms
• Whether or not your infection is caused by a parasite that is resistant to certain drugs

Certain blood tests can take a few days come back, while some will produce results in just 15 minutes. If you are diagnosed with the disease, your treatment will begin straight away.

Following your diagnosis, a suitable malaria treatment will be recommended by your doctor. You can buy this medication from our online pharmacy; order online by 2pm and we can offer you next day delivery.

Malaria Treatment

Malaria treatment consists of medication to kill the parasites that are present in your bloodstream. Anti-malaria tablets are available to buy from Medicine Direct following a consultation with an online doctor, who will prescribe the tablets they believe to be the most suitable to treat your case.

If you order from our online pharmacy by 2pm, we can offer you next day delivery absolutely free.

Buy Malaria Tablets

Our UK online pharmacy has three treatment options available:

Doxycycline

Between 7 days to yearly courses of either 50 mg or 100 mg doses of this treatment can be ordered. Following your online consultation, our doctor will prescribe the course most suitable for your needs and length of holiday.

Lariam

Between 7 days and seven-month courses of 250 mg can be ordered of this antibiotic. To prevent malaria, it is recommended to take one 250 mg dose weekly.

Malarone

A course of 7 days to 12 months can be prescribed. Adults should take one 250 mg/100 mg tablet per day unless advised differently.

You must remember which anti-malaria tablet you are taking in case you do contract the disease. You cannot be treated with the same antibiotic you are using to prevent malaria, as it will not be effective in curing the disease.

Anti-malaria tablets side effects

Inform your doctor of any family or medical history so that they can prescribe you the correct dosage and brand of anti-malaria tablets. Although side effects are uncommon, some people report experiencing symptoms as a result of taking these antibiotics. Below is a list of common side effects caused by anti-malaria tablets:

• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Thrush
• Skin sensitivity to light
• Dizziness
• Sleep disturbances

We recommend the Fit For Travel website for information on what treatment is best for the destination you are traveling to.

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing malaria prophylaxis treatments.