**For a two-week trip confined to Rajasthan, bite avoidance without malaria tablets is consistent with current UK guidance—but US guidance recommends tablets.** That difference helps explain the conflicting advice you’ve found.

- **UK guidance:** Rajasthan falls within India’s *low-risk* areas, where mosquito-bite prevention and awareness of symptoms are recommended; antimalarials are not routinely advised. Low risk still means some risk. [UK malaria prevention guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/malaria-prevention-guidelines-for-travellers-from-the-uk-2026/country-recommendations)
- **US CDC guidance:** Recommends preventive medication for malaria-transmission areas throughout India, including Rajasthan. Malarone is one of the recommended options. [CDC India advice](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india/)

**February alone isn’t enough to decide.** The exact locations, accommodation, evening activities and medical history matter. For an otherwise healthy parent and teenager on a typical hotel-based sightseeing trip, foregoing tablets would fit UK guidance. Rural overnight stays, camping, substantial exposure after dark or difficulty reaching medical care warrant a more careful assessment with a travel-health clinician. [NaTHNaC India guidance](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/105/India)

For your son, being **14 does not automatically mean he needs prophylaxis** under the UK approach. If you choose Malarone, his dose depends on weight: the usual adult dose applies above 40 kg; lower weights need paediatric dosing. Have a prescriber confirm suitability and the dose for each of you. Preventive Malarone starts **1–2 days before entering the risk area**, continues daily throughout the stay and for **7 days after leaving**—it shouldn’t be held back until bites occur. [CDC medication guidance](https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/hcp/drug-malaria/)

Keep using DEET, covering up after dusk, and choosing screened or air-conditioned rooms or an insecticide-treated bed net. **If either of you develops fever during the trip or within a year afterwards, seek urgent medical assessment and mention travel to India**, even if you took tablets. [NaTHNaC guidance](https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/105/India)

Which towns are you visiting, and will you have any rural or camping overnight stays?