Assessment of returning travellers with fever

Travel to the tropics is increasing and a significant minority of travellers fall ill either during or shortly after return. Most illnesses are self-limiting but a few, such as falciparum malaria and typhoid, can be life threatening. A detailed travel history taking account of the patient's activities, type and time of onset of symptoms is important in constructing a differential diagnosis. All travellers returning from the tropics with a fever within three months and sometimes longer should have a blood film for malaria.