Malaria is an infectious disease, caused by Anopheles mosquito vectored Plasmodium parasites. Worldwide 1.6 Billion people live in areas of risk for malaria infection, travellers are endangered in over 150 countries. The absolute risk varies significantly between different regions, e.g. for tropical Africa 100 to 1000 times greater than in South America. If possible at all diagnostics and therapy of malaria should be performed by a qualified physician. If self-treatment is unavoidable, dosage, frequency and duration of the therapy strictly has to comply with the pharmaceutical instructions. Also supportive treatment with antipyretics and immobilisation ore important. Even after treatment has been started transportation to a medical institution should be sought, in order to verify diagnostics, to continue therapy and prevent possible complications. There is no absolute protection against malaria. There are sufficient means of decreasing the risk of an infection, above all exposition prophylaxis and chemoprophylaxis. Antimalarial vaccine will not be available for the near future.
