Fever after international travel (such as malaria or dengue)

Overview

Malaria can become severe within a day, so testing the same day matters.

Dengue, typhoid, and other infections can also cause fever after travel.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Fever after travel
• Recently traveled out of the country

Less common

• Chills
• Headache
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain

Look up a symptom: Fever · Headache

When to get medical care

Causes

Travel infections.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: bites from tiny midges, mosquitoes, germs from poop getting into the mouth, or mosquito bites.
• Washing hands often and staying home when sick help protect others.

Who is more likely to get it

• Travel to tropics

Diagnosis

Blood tests.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Malaria test:

Treatment

Get seen.

Self-care

• Tell clinicians your travel
• Tell every clinician where you traveled

Prevention

To prevent:

• Malaria pills
• Mosquito repellent

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until 2 days after vomiting and diarrhea stop, especially if you work with food, children, or patients.
• Wash hands well after using the toilet.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Pregnancy: Malaria is more dangerous.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Treatable when caught early.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Do I need a malaria test?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Fever after international travel (such as malaria or dengue)