recurrent malaria

Last edited 12/2019 and last reviewed 10/2020

'Once you get malaria, it keeps coming back' - true or false?

Hypnozoite-induced relapses occur in vivax and ovale malaria but can be treated successfully and further relapses prevented.

If the patient has received a full course of treatment with modern antimalarial drugs and has not been re-exposed to malaria, it is extremely unlikely that a history of recurrent febrile illness over a number of years is the result of chronic malaria.

Reference:

  • Public Health England. Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK 2019