Always consult a doctor if you develop a fever after travelling.
The possible causes of fever after travelling in the (sub)tropics include both tropical diseases and infections and differ depending on your destination and the nature and duration of the stay. Malaria remains the most common and most threatening disease.
If you have a fever during the first 3 months after returning from the tropics, you should always consider the possibility of a malaria infection, even if you have taken the prescribed anti-malaria medicine correctly. The doctor should always take blood and have it tested in the laboratory as soon as possible. If the test is positive, treatment should be initiated immediately. This is best done in a specialised centre for travel medicine, such as the Jan Yperman Hospital. The majority of deaths from malaria after return are due to incorrect or late diagnosis. Malaria that is recognised in time is perfectly treatable, without the risk of recurring attacks.
Your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you.
