What Is “Malta Flu”? What Travellers and Residents Should Know

What does “Malta flu” mean?

If you search for “Malta flu”, you will find social media posts, travel forums and comment threads from people who felt unwell during or after a stay on the island. The phrase is used loosely to describe anything from a sore throat and blocked nose to a fever, cough and several days of tiredness.

It is a convenient label, but it is not a medical term. Doctors do not diagnose “Malta flu”, and there is no illness officially recognised under that name. When people use it, they are usually describing an ordinary respiratory infection that happened to start in Malta.

Is Malta flu a real disease?

No - not as a distinct disease. Malta does not have a unique virus that causes a special “island flu”. The respiratory infections that circulate here are the same families of viruses found elsewhere in Europe, including seasonal influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19), rhinoviruses (a common cause of colds), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and others.

DoctorMalta.com does not report outbreaks. Unless a current official source such as the Malta health authorities or the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirms unusual activity, you should not assume that a particular infection is spreading in Malta simply because a phrase is trending online.

Why might travellers get sick?

There are several everyday reasons why visitors - and residents - may pick up a cold or flu-like illness. None of them are unique to Malta, but they can combine during a busy trip.

• Close contact with many people in airports, aircraft, buses, bars and events.
• Poor sleep, late nights and the general fatigue of travel.
• Moving between hot outdoor air and strong indoor air conditioning.
• Dehydration in warm weather, or drinking more alcohol than usual.
• Seasonal patterns: influenza and other respiratory viruses tend to circulate more in the cooler months.

Common respiratory symptoms

Colds and flu-like illnesses share many symptoms, so symptoms alone cannot tell you which virus you have. Typical symptoms include:

• Sore or scratchy throat, runny or blocked nose and sneezing.
• Cough, which may linger for a week or two after other symptoms settle.
• Fever, chills, headache and aching muscles - more typical of influenza.
• Tiredness and reduced appetite.
• Sometimes a change in taste or smell, which can occur with several infections.

A test can help identify COVID-19 or influenza in some situations. If you are unsure whether testing is useful for you, a pharmacist or doctor can advise.

What can you do at home?

For most healthy adults, a mild respiratory infection improves on its own over several days. Sensible steps include resting, drinking fluids regularly and staying somewhere comfortable and cool.

Over-the-counter medicines may relieve fever, aches or a sore throat. Always follow the instructions on the pack, and ask a pharmacist before taking anything if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take regular medicines or have a long-term condition. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as colds and flu.

To protect others, wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and reduce close contact with people who are older, pregnant or medically vulnerable while you are unwell.

When should you contact a doctor?

Speak to a doctor if:

• Your symptoms are getting worse rather than better after a few days.
• A fever lasts longer than you would expect, or returns after improving.
• You have a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease.
• You are pregnant, over 65, or have a weakened immune system.
• You are worried about a child, especially a baby, who is unwell.
• You have earache, sinus pain or a cough producing coloured phlegm that is not settling.

When is urgent care needed?

Call 112 or seek emergency help immediately if you or someone else has severe difficulty breathing, new chest pain, blue or grey lips, sudden confusion, a seizure, collapse, or is very difficult to wake. Do not wait for a routine appointment in these situations.

Can you speak to a doctor online?

For many non-urgent respiratory symptoms, an online consultation can be a practical first step - particularly if you are staying in a hotel or apartment and would rather not travel while feeling unwell. A doctor can review your symptoms, advise on self-care and decide whether you need to be examined in person.

Online care is not suitable for emergencies, and the doctor may recommend a face-to-face appointment if they need to listen to your chest or check other signs.

Where to get medical help in Malta

You can ask a pharmacist for advice on minor symptoms. Public health centres provide GP services, and private GP clinics offer paid consultations, often with shorter waits. For emergencies, call 112. Our Find a Doctor guide explains each option in more detail.