July 2010
With the recent headlines in the press about Cheryl Cole contracting malaria, Dr Ben Marshall, Consultant Physician at Spire Southampton Hospital, talked to BBC Radio Solent about the disease.
Dr Marshall gave advice on how to prevent catching malaria, as well as the symptoms you should look out for and what to do if you have it.
Malaria is a disease caught if bitten by an infected mosquito, commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical countries - it is thought Cheryl Cole contracted the disease whilst on holiday in Tanzania.
Dr Marshall highlighted the importance of taking malaria medication if you are travelling to high-risk destinations and following the ABC of malaria. If you become ill and visit your doctor when you get back it is important to mention where you have travelled to as sometimes malaria can be difficult to diagnose.
For more information on malaria please click here to go to the NHS website.