If you travel anywhere within the tropics, then you will be well advised to protect yourself against insect bites.  Malaria is spread by mosquitoes and is a serious tropical disease, which can be fatal. Symptoms of malaria include high temperatures, headaches, vomiting and muscle pain.  If you have been infected by malaria on holiday, then symptoms will usually occur within 3 weeks of being infected (but it may take longer) so it is something to be aware of on your return home.

The Fit for Travel website, set up by the NHS, informs travellers of malarial areas of the world and calculates the risk of contracting the disease.  Depending where you are travelling to, you may need to take anti-malarial tablets.  There are different types, depending on the type of malaria present, so make sure you follow medical advice carefully.  Some tablets need to be taken before travel so it’s important to seek medical advice from your surgery in plenty of time.

If the risk of contracting malaria is small, you are still advised to take preventative measures.  Make sure you cover up, especially after dusk.  Wear long trousers and long sleeves.  You should also spray yourself with an insect repellent containing DEET.  If you are sleeping in a room without air-conditioning, then make sure you sleep under a mosquito net.  You could also spray the room with insecticide or burn pyrothroid coils to further deter mosquitoes.