What is a recommended management strategy for a patient with fever returning from travel?

For a patient presenting with fever after returning from travel, it is crucial to conduct appropriate diagnostic tests to identify the cause of the fever, especially since infectious diseases such as malaria and other travel-related illnesses can pose serious health risks. Conducting a full blood count and a malaria test is an essential management strategy because these investigations can provide critical information about the patient’s condition.

A full blood count can help assess the patient's overall health, indicate potential infections, and reveal anemia or other abnormalities. Meanwhile, malaria testing is particularly vital for travelers who may have been in endemic regions, as early detection can significantly affect treatment outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

Immediate hospitalization is generally reserved for patients who show severe symptoms or require intensive monitoring, which may not be necessary in every case of post-travel fever. Symptomatic treatment and supportive care can certainly be part of the management plan, but they do not substitute the need for initial diagnostic work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. Hence, performing a full blood count and malaria test is the best practice to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.