Malaria pills necessary?
Jan 3rd, 2006, 11:33 PM
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Malaria pills necessary?
Going to BKK, Chiang Mai, and Pai for an overnight trek/rafting tour. Just wondering what's the consensus on getting malaria pills. Should I get them and take them if needed or get them and take them regardless or are they not really necessary?
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 4th, 2006, 06:23 AM
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Check out <b>http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/seasia.htm</b>
"Thailand: Limited risk in the areas that border Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. No risk in cities and major tourist resorts (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Phuket Island, and Ko Samui.) Note: Travelers to the border areas of Thailand/Burma and Thailand/Cambodia should see the special Thailand box below."
"Thailand: Limited risk in the areas that border Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. No risk in cities and major tourist resorts (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Phuket Island, and Ko Samui.) Note: Travelers to the border areas of Thailand/Burma and Thailand/Cambodia should see the special Thailand box below."
May 24th, 2006, 06:30 AM
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I would take all precautions against malaria. Young tourist just died. Here is the article:
We knew he was dying, say parents of Derry malaria victim
The heartbroken family of a young Londonderry man who died in Thailand from a deadly strain of malaria today expressed the overwhelming love and pride they felt for him.
Christopher Gallagher (23), from Liscloon Drive in the Shantallow area, contracted a deadly strain of the virus while fulfilling his life's ambition to travel the world.
The virus gripped the Queen's University graduate around a week ago, just a couple of weeks before he'd planned to return home from his gap-year style trek.
Christopher had been taking a course of anti-malarial drugs before and during his trip, but doctors revealed that they were useless against the virulent strain he picked up after being bitten by a mosquito, probably during a visit to the Burmese jungle.
He spoke to his devoted parents Martin and Mary from a Thai hospital less than 24 hours before his death - by the end of the conversation they say they knew their son was dying.
Fighting back tears today, Mr Gallagher told the North West Telegraph: "He was saying goodbye."
Christopher was an English Literature graduate from Queen's University and a former St Columb's College student. He was considering a career in journalism on his return home. He died from organ failure brought on by two strains of the malaria virus.
"He said while he was away that he would be living with us for a while when he got home, getting a job and paying us back for the trip and university," Mary said.
"I joked with him that he could never manage it but I know he would have tried.
"I remember he wanted to go away before university but I managed to persuade him not to. But he was so determined, it was his dream, he loved other cultures and new people.
"One of the last things he said to me was that he didn't regret a moment of his travels.
"It was heartbreaking that we weren't there holding his hand, the only thing that's keeping me together is human contact.
"All our friends, family and neighbours have been amazing, as have the Embassy, the insurance people and the PSNI.
"He told me in his last phone call not to lose it if he didn't make it, but I thought he might be exaggerating - a few hours later I realised he wasn't joking and then of course I did lose it."
The Gallagher family, including their other son, also Martin, today revealed the depth of their love for their "brilliant" son.
"He was a bit of a genius really," said his brother Martin. "Academically and artistically in particular. We were very close."
Christopher's wide circle of friends came to the family home to show their love and support last night, while his family endured a desperate wait to discover when his body can be repatriated.
-- belfasttelegraph.co.uk 2006-05-23
We knew he was dying, say parents of Derry malaria victim
The heartbroken family of a young Londonderry man who died in Thailand from a deadly strain of malaria today expressed the overwhelming love and pride they felt for him.
Christopher Gallagher (23), from Liscloon Drive in the Shantallow area, contracted a deadly strain of the virus while fulfilling his life's ambition to travel the world.
The virus gripped the Queen's University graduate around a week ago, just a couple of weeks before he'd planned to return home from his gap-year style trek.
Christopher had been taking a course of anti-malarial drugs before and during his trip, but doctors revealed that they were useless against the virulent strain he picked up after being bitten by a mosquito, probably during a visit to the Burmese jungle.
He spoke to his devoted parents Martin and Mary from a Thai hospital less than 24 hours before his death - by the end of the conversation they say they knew their son was dying.
Fighting back tears today, Mr Gallagher told the North West Telegraph: "He was saying goodbye."
Christopher was an English Literature graduate from Queen's University and a former St Columb's College student. He was considering a career in journalism on his return home. He died from organ failure brought on by two strains of the malaria virus.
"He said while he was away that he would be living with us for a while when he got home, getting a job and paying us back for the trip and university," Mary said.
"I joked with him that he could never manage it but I know he would have tried.
"I remember he wanted to go away before university but I managed to persuade him not to. But he was so determined, it was his dream, he loved other cultures and new people.
"One of the last things he said to me was that he didn't regret a moment of his travels.
"It was heartbreaking that we weren't there holding his hand, the only thing that's keeping me together is human contact.
"All our friends, family and neighbours have been amazing, as have the Embassy, the insurance people and the PSNI.
"He told me in his last phone call not to lose it if he didn't make it, but I thought he might be exaggerating - a few hours later I realised he wasn't joking and then of course I did lose it."
The Gallagher family, including their other son, also Martin, today revealed the depth of their love for their "brilliant" son.
"He was a bit of a genius really," said his brother Martin. "Academically and artistically in particular. We were very close."
Christopher's wide circle of friends came to the family home to show their love and support last night, while his family endured a desperate wait to discover when his body can be repatriated.
-- belfasttelegraph.co.uk 2006-05-23
May 24th, 2006, 07:06 AM
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Ouch, that realy brings it home, so very very sad.
Suds, do look at the posting near this one about vaccinations and prevention, quite a good discussions going on with hopefully some good tips, avoidance is the real biggy and there are some precutions that you can take.
Someone mentioned that there had been a 'Malaria Awareness Week', I think many of us would admit to not knowing about that, it appears that something like 3,000 perople a day worldwide die from Malaria, really brings it home.
Let us hope that in some way the added awareness reminds us all that such diseases are out there.
Suds, do look at the posting near this one about vaccinations and prevention, quite a good discussions going on with hopefully some good tips, avoidance is the real biggy and there are some precutions that you can take.
Someone mentioned that there had been a 'Malaria Awareness Week', I think many of us would admit to not knowing about that, it appears that something like 3,000 perople a day worldwide die from Malaria, really brings it home.
Let us hope that in some way the added awareness reminds us all that such diseases are out there.
May 24th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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Not to be insensitive to Malaria victim mentioned in the article but I took Mefloquine two years ago when we went to the Peruvian Amazon. If you normally dream vividly, you may experience even more vivid dreams on Mefloquine. I had a "party in my head" every night for months afterward. I found it disturbing. Double check that Mefloquine is appropriate for you.
May 24th, 2006, 11:51 PM
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Mefloquine or Larium shouldn't be prescribed for this area anyway - there are malaria strains in SE Asia and part of Africa that are resistant to Larium.
(btw I took Larium - and I know exactly what you mean! I had horrible violent dreams - and I wasn't the victim but the aggressor - horrible and very disturbing).
(btw I took Larium - and I know exactly what you mean! I had horrible violent dreams - and I wasn't the victim but the aggressor - horrible and very disturbing).
May 25th, 2006, 02:42 AM
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I contracted Malaria on a trip to Vietnam about 20 years ago. I was taking the appropriate medication but forgot one or two tablets. I fell ill upon my return home to the UK and luckily the Doctor asked where I had been travelling and carried out the tests and I was hospitalised for a couple of weeks.
I am aware that the side effects of some drugs can be very unpleasant but would suggest that they are nowhere near as unpleasant as Malaria itself!
An unfortunate side effect of the treatment was that I developed an allergy to Quinnine which caused my skin to itch from head to toe during the treatment and for a week or so after the treatment. As a result, I am not able to take any Quinnine based prophylatics which only leaves Doxycycline which is not particulary effective. As JamesA states "avoidance is the real biggy". I spray from head to toe, way before sunset and when visiting any forested,or river areas. I also carry a room spray when staying in any non-aircon places.
Boards such as this are great for the background info but there really is no substitute for consulting Doctors specialising in tropical medicine AND who know the area you are visiting.
I am aware that the side effects of some drugs can be very unpleasant but would suggest that they are nowhere near as unpleasant as Malaria itself!
An unfortunate side effect of the treatment was that I developed an allergy to Quinnine which caused my skin to itch from head to toe during the treatment and for a week or so after the treatment. As a result, I am not able to take any Quinnine based prophylatics which only leaves Doxycycline which is not particulary effective. As JamesA states "avoidance is the real biggy". I spray from head to toe, way before sunset and when visiting any forested,or river areas. I also carry a room spray when staying in any non-aircon places.
Boards such as this are great for the background info but there really is no substitute for consulting Doctors specialising in tropical medicine AND who know the area you are visiting.
May 25th, 2006, 06:00 AM
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crellston, sorry you contracted malaria on that trip 20 years ago. You can testify as to how unpleasant it is! The number 1 reason people taking an antimalarial contract malaria is that they miss pills or stop taking it after they leave the malarial risk area without the one week to four week period they need to take it (depending on the medication).
Your comment about doxycycline being "not particularly effective" is odd. Doxy is one of two drugs for which malaria has now shown any resistance world-wide. The other is malaraone. Neither are quinine based. Doxycycline is a very effective anti-malarial as long as it is taken daily and taken for 4 weeks after leaving the malarial risk area.
Youe point about consulting a good travel medicine or tropical medicine doc is exactly right.
Your comment about doxycycline being "not particularly effective" is odd. Doxy is one of two drugs for which malaria has now shown any resistance world-wide. The other is malaraone. Neither are quinine based. Doxycycline is a very effective anti-malarial as long as it is taken daily and taken for 4 weeks after leaving the malarial risk area.
Youe point about consulting a good travel medicine or tropical medicine doc is exactly right.
May 25th, 2006, 07:20 AM
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Kathie
Thanks for the info. My comment on doxycycline was based on information provided by my doctor and one or two medical journals here in the UK which suggested that doxy was "only 50% effective" although, this was some time ago -highlighting the need for up to date information. I guess there is conflicting information all over the world!
I did not appreciate that Malorone was not quinnine based, although I was specifically advised not to take it because of my previous allergic reaction. I need to go back to my doctor as I am visiting Tanzania in August so will check out whether I am able to take it then then.
Finally, I can testify to how unpleasant the Malaria is and also to my own stupidity in not taking the pills as directed!
Thanks for the info. My comment on doxycycline was based on information provided by my doctor and one or two medical journals here in the UK which suggested that doxy was "only 50% effective" although, this was some time ago -highlighting the need for up to date information. I guess there is conflicting information all over the world!
I did not appreciate that Malorone was not quinnine based, although I was specifically advised not to take it because of my previous allergic reaction. I need to go back to my doctor as I am visiting Tanzania in August so will check out whether I am able to take it then then.
Finally, I can testify to how unpleasant the Malaria is and also to my own stupidity in not taking the pills as directed!
May 25th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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crellston, that is interesting. I've never seen data with figures that low on doxy. The latest figures I've seen are in excess of 90% effectiveness (some say 95%). There was a time some years ago when they were not yet recommending a full month of doxy post-malarial risk area. I don't remember the effectiveness as being that low, but I do belive it was somewhere in the 70% range with only a week or two-post exposure.
The "state of the art" is constantly changing. Also, I've been struck by how differently these issues are approached in different countries. A good example is the UK's use of the over-the-counter proguanil plus chloroquin, which no other country endorses. Also, the initial differences in how long malarone could be prescribed were different in North America and Europe.
The "state of the art" is constantly changing. Also, I've been struck by how differently these issues are approached in different countries. A good example is the UK's use of the over-the-counter proguanil plus chloroquin, which no other country endorses. Also, the initial differences in how long malarone could be prescribed were different in North America and Europe.
May 25th, 2006, 09:16 AM
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The availability of over the counter proguanil plus chloroquine here is v strange. One can only hope that most people would still go to their GP to get a prescription as it would save a significant amount of money to do so. Buying over the counter is significantly more expensive than on prescription here - and based on NHS recommendations, GPs should not prescribe proguanil plus chloroquine!
