Malaria…what’s the protocol

[Twobecomingthreeplusthedog]

6 days ago returned from a country with malaria although area I visited suggests I didn’t need any malaria tablets (have been vaccinated for yellow fever).

On the Thursday evening I got bitten by 8 mosquitos whilst out for dinner despite wearing super strong Deet.

The last 24 hours I’ve had temp of 39, doesn’t come down with paracetamol and only down to 38.5 with nurofen. Body aches are unreal, I feel physically sick even drinking water. Weak, lethargic etc

Been on hold to 111 for 95 minutes with no answer so have given up and will call gp first thing. Trying to plan childcare for tomorrow, does anyone know protocol for suspected malaria if I go to gp? Will I need blood tests at hospital or local surgery?

thank you

Malaria is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment.

Are you in London?

Walk in at the Centre for Tropical Diseases. www.thehtd.org/emergencies.aspx

If GP can get you an appointment then they can discuss your case with a tropical disease expert and get advice on treatment. If not then nearest larger hospital A&E because if you are unwell with it so may need IV treatment. The longer you go without treatment the more unwell you will become.

Thank you, I’m not in London sadly. I went to the gp this morning, waited 2.5 hours for an appointment where they said ’might be Malaria, might be a stomach bug’. Did blood tests and said someone would call me over the weekend if it flagged anything serious…they didn’t seem in the slightest bit concerned!

The blood tests should have been same day result especially as you are symptomatic. Phone 111 to see if they can get you into a medical assessment unit for same day urgent bloods if not then go to A&E. They GP should have discussed your case with an infectious diseases specialist before deciding what to do, malaria is a notifiable disease.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/malaria/diagnosis/clinical-features/

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/malaria/diagnosis/assessment/

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/malaria/management/management/

They didn’t do any of this, just spoke to a GP and that was it. I feel absolutely awful although not deteriorating thankfully. Hoping results will be available Monday and I will be able to call for them :( I called 111 initially and didn’t get a call back for 16 hours so by the time they call back it’ll be Monday anyway.

If i deteriorate I would go to A&E.

How are you doing? Did you manage to get your results back?

There are other mosquito-borne tropical diseases, as well as malaria- most start with "flu-like symptoms". But no one here can tell you without you being seen and tested. Good luck and get well soon.