MediClinic is a modern, private Clinic in Guildford and Wimbledon offering the convenience and choice of same day appointments.  Our travel vaccination clinics are equipped to offer you expert advice in minimising health risks during and after your holiday or business trips to foreign parts of the globe.

Malaria

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is responsible for approximately 1-3 million deaths per year, typically in children in sub-Saharan Africa.  Populations at an increased risk for mortality due to malaria include pregnant individuals, travellers without immunity, and young children aged 6 months to 3 years who live in endemic areas.

How Do I Get Infected?

Individuals with malaria typically acquired the infection in an endemic area following a mosquito bite. 

Where Does Malaria Occur? 

Malaria is now predominantly a disease affecting Afica, South and Central America, Asia and the Middle East.

Travellers from non-endemic countries can contract the disease when visiting these areas and become ill while abroad or present with symptoms on returning home.  

Symptoms and Signs of Malaria 

Symptoms of malaria are nonspecific, and, because timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary, malaria should be considered in all patients from tropical areas who present with fever.

Malaria usually begins with marked shivering, fever and sweating. The fever may come    and go every other day, but not necessarily. In many people the infection will seem more like the flu.  Muscle pains, headache and vomiting are common. A few days later, jaundice, dark urine, diarrhoea and confusion can develop.  Immune individuals may be completely asymptomatic or may present with mild anaemia. Non-immune patients may quickly become very ill.   The most serious form of malaria can cause illness a few days following the infected mosquito bite, usually after 10 days to 3 weeks and occasionally longer.  Severe malaria may manifest as cerebral malaria (coma may occur), severe anaemia, renal failure and/or respiratory distressThe severity of illness is affected by previous exposure to malaria, the patient’s age and  pregnancy status. In addition, various genetic factors may enhance or limit disease severity. Protective factors include sickle cell disease. 

How is Malaria Diagnosed? 

In patients with suspected malaria, obtaining a history of recent or remote travel to an endemic area is critical.  A diagnosis of malaria should be supported by the identification of the parasites on a thin or thick blood smear.

Treatment and Prophylaxis

It is best to avoid mosquitoes by limiting exposure during times of typical blood meals (ie, dawn, dusk).  Wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellants may also prevent infection.  Consider using bed nets that are treated with permethrin.  Anti-malarials (eg. Malarone) are advised in patients travelling to endemic areas. Treatment of malaria will depend on which particular parasite has caused infection and on current recommendations in terms of drug-resistance.

What does MediClinic offer?

A detailed travel itinerary and risk assessment will be performed to assess an individual’s needs and risk prior to travelling.  Advice on how to avoid mosquito bites will be given and if appropriate for the area to be visited anti-malarials will be prescribed – the best choice of which will be discussed with the patient.

Should a patient be concerned regarding possible malarial infection following travel to an endemic area, MediClinic can arrange urgent blood testing and referral if necessary.

SEE OUR VACCINATION PAGE FOR FURTHER VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AT MEDICLINIC 

Things to remember: 

• You should be well when you have your travel vaccines. If you are unsure or suffer with any symptoms suggesting illness, then please call us before your consultation.

• Travel Vaccination documents – if you have had previous travel vaccinations please bring the relevant documentation to your appointment, this will help us ensure you are fully protected during your travels.
• We recommend vaccines be given 1 week to 3 months prior to traveling depending on the vaccine. This will allow your body sufficient time to build the necessary antibodies to protect you.
• Cancellation of appointments must be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.

Which clinic should I visit?
If you are not sure where the closest clinic is to you please refer to the list below.  Note that we DO see patients from ANY areas. 

Guildford Clinic

Stoughton, Burpham, Arlington, Shalford, Chilworth, Compton, Woking, Aldershot, Farnham and surrounding areas

Wimbledon Clinic

Raynes Park, Morden, Worcester Park, Mitcham, Colliers Wood, Kingston Upon Thames, Southfields, Kew, Chiswick, East Sheen, Richmond, Roehampton, Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Clapham, Balham, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Barnes, and surrounding areas.

Call us today for your same day travel vaccination appointment