Early stages of malaria may resemble the onset of the flu. Travelers who become ill with a fever during or after travel in a malarious area should seek prompt medical attention and should inform their physician of their recent travel history. Malaria can often be prevented by the use of antimalarial drugs and the use of personal protection measures against mosquito bites. Anopheles mosquitoes bite during nighttime hours, from dusk to dawn. The risk of malaria depends on the traveler's itinerary, the duration of travel, and the place where the traveler will spend evenings and nights.
Travelers can still get malaria, despite use of prevention measures.
Malaria can be treated effectively in its early stages, but delaying treatment can have serious consequences. Malaria can cause anemia and jaundice, and can lead to coma, renal failure, acute respiratory distress, and death.