Malaria pills for Africa
Mar 2nd, 2008, 05:03 AM
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Malaria pills for Africa
We are traveling to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe on a guided tour in April. We will be escorted everywhere. Do you think it is necessary to take malaria pills?
Thanks for your input!
Thanks for your input!
Mar 2nd, 2008, 05:30 AM
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Malaria mossies don't care whether you're escorted or not. They fly where they fly.
So, yes if doing safari in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, absolutely YES. April is also the wet season when mossies are more prevalent. There are a few safari locations in SA that are not malaria areas, but doubt you will be visiting these. While you don't need malaria meds in cities as Johannesburg or Capetown, you have to follow the proper protocol for the meds; can't stop and start.
Discuss with your physician.
So, yes if doing safari in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, absolutely YES. April is also the wet season when mossies are more prevalent. There are a few safari locations in SA that are not malaria areas, but doubt you will be visiting these. While you don't need malaria meds in cities as Johannesburg or Capetown, you have to follow the proper protocol for the meds; can't stop and start.
Discuss with your physician.
Mar 2nd, 2008, 06:34 AM
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"Do you think it is necessary to take malaria pills?"
Only if you don't want to get malaria. Also, consider other immunizations (tetanus, hepatitis A, etc) for this trip and to protect you for the next many years of happy travelling. As usual, the advice is to go to a Tavel Clinic well before you leave.
Only if you don't want to get malaria. Also, consider other immunizations (tetanus, hepatitis A, etc) for this trip and to protect you for the next many years of happy travelling. As usual, the advice is to go to a Tavel Clinic well before you leave.
Mar 2nd, 2008, 07:34 AM
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Since malaria pills are not 100% effective in prevention, I also advise you to buy some Coartem in South AFrica at a pharmacy in case you actually get malaria and are far from a doctor. 24 hours can make a difference. I have been a physician in South Africa and that is what we use.
Mar 2nd, 2008, 07:41 AM
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If I were to get malaria in S. Africa, I would expect to get on a plane immediately and go to the nearest city hospital.
With the beehive of planes now in Africa, how long could it take in SA, Bots, or Namibia, especially with going on a guided tour?
With the beehive of planes now in Africa, how long could it take in SA, Bots, or Namibia, especially with going on a guided tour?
Mar 2nd, 2008, 08:05 AM
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I took malarone and had no side effects. All but one person on our trip took anti-malarials. i went in their winter season, but by mid august, already the mosquitos were starting to come out in Livingstone. If you get it, you'll ruin your trip and its not that easy to get from place to place.
Mar 2nd, 2008, 05:38 PM
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Be sure to take Malarone, instead of Larium (spelling?). Our doctor was not good with travel medicine and gave us Larium- big mistake- it has many severe side effects and we were climinb kilimanjaro. Met Mayo clinic doctors on our climb, and they confirmed that Malarone is the way to go.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 04:52 AM
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Further to my post above, there is NO inoculation against malaria, so it's pills, which when used in conjunction with proper precautions - long pants, sleeves, socks, use of repellent on exposed skin (except face and back of neck) - is the best there is.
Malaria mossies bite between dusk and dawn hours.
Should you be bitten, symptoms often don't appear for about 10/days; sometimes even months later. They're flu-like, so always advise physician that you have been to Africa so proper bloodwork tests can be done.
Malaria mossies bite between dusk and dawn hours.
Should you be bitten, symptoms often don't appear for about 10/days; sometimes even months later. They're flu-like, so always advise physician that you have been to Africa so proper bloodwork tests can be done.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 08:54 AM
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Thank you so much for all the info. Our doctor prescribed Lariam. We are now hesitant about it...should we get him to change it to Malarone? We have read that the recommended drug for Africa is Lariam...I am so confused!
Mar 3rd, 2008, 09:30 AM
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<We have read that the recommended drug for Africa is Lariam...I am so confused!>
It would help to read the CDC site:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationSouthAfrica.aspx
on SA and the other countries. We took Malarone for where you are going.
It would help to read the CDC site:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationSouthAfrica.aspx
on SA and the other countries. We took Malarone for where you are going.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 11:47 AM
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CharlotteAnne -
Lariam was the old standby for years, till Malarone became available (in the States) sometime early 2000.
Lariam can have weird side-effects (dreams, psychotic episodes, interrupted sleep, others), so the Malarone was a great new option. Not to say that some users of Malarone haven't had side-effects, especially if not taken with food - dairy preferrably - but nowhere as with Lariam. Recent trip report by jenbertoni indicated she had difficult time with Malarone.
As far as Lariam is concerned, In there are more and more areas (in Africa and elsewhere around the world) where Lariam is slowly becoming less effective.
Suggest you discuss further with your physician or a tropical diseases specialist to consider Malarone instead.
Lariam was the old standby for years, till Malarone became available (in the States) sometime early 2000.
Lariam can have weird side-effects (dreams, psychotic episodes, interrupted sleep, others), so the Malarone was a great new option. Not to say that some users of Malarone haven't had side-effects, especially if not taken with food - dairy preferrably - but nowhere as with Lariam. Recent trip report by jenbertoni indicated she had difficult time with Malarone.
As far as Lariam is concerned, In there are more and more areas (in Africa and elsewhere around the world) where Lariam is slowly becoming less effective.
Suggest you discuss further with your physician or a tropical diseases specialist to consider Malarone instead.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 06:06 PM
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CharlotteAnne,
After years of taking the weekly Larium with 0 side effects, I was finally persuaded to go with the daily Malarone for Africa trips.
Too many people suddenly had severe problems with Larium. The expense and daily inconvenience of Malarone are minor in comparison to the potential problems of Larium, in my opinion.
Have a wonderful trip! Might it be OAT by the looks of your itinerary?
After years of taking the weekly Larium with 0 side effects, I was finally persuaded to go with the daily Malarone for Africa trips.
Too many people suddenly had severe problems with Larium. The expense and daily inconvenience of Malarone are minor in comparison to the potential problems of Larium, in my opinion.
Have a wonderful trip! Might it be OAT by the looks of your itinerary?
Mar 4th, 2008, 06:03 PM
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Hello All. Thanks for the wonderful wealth of information. I'll be headed to Joburg for the first time in a couple of weeks. I've had conflicting responses as to whether or not anti-malarial prophylactics need to be taken. The funny thing is the two conflicting responses came from two U.S. nationals who now live in S. Africa: one in Port Elizabeth (said I should take); the other in Joburg (said I don't need to take). I'm not planning on going on safari or anything like that, but as one person pointed out, mosquitoes do travel. Any thoughts? Also travelling with elderly mom who is already taking all kinds of medication so it is a concern. Thanks.
Mar 4th, 2008, 07:02 PM
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Tn2Sa, If you are just in the city of Johannesburg, then the need for malaria pills is not as great. It also depends how long you'll be there. Have you spoken with an international travel clinic for Joburg only?
Mar 4th, 2008, 10:44 PM
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Thank you, atravelynn. We will be in Johannesburg the entire trip (3 weeks) though we were hoping to take in a few of the local area sites (e.g. Apartheid Museum, Soweto, etc.). Would that (checking out a few other places) affect the need greatly? How can I contact the int'l travel clinic for Joburg?
Mar 5th, 2008, 05:17 AM
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Tn2sa -
Generally, people living in JNB or CPT, don't take malaria meds.
But as you'll be traveling with your mom, who is already taking other meds, and who may be more prone to issues when traveling, you should contact a Tropical Diseases Specialist at your local hospital or a Travel Clinic (private or hospital affiliated) for professional advise.
Generally, people living in JNB or CPT, don't take malaria meds.
But as you'll be traveling with your mom, who is already taking other meds, and who may be more prone to issues when traveling, you should contact a Tropical Diseases Specialist at your local hospital or a Travel Clinic (private or hospital affiliated) for professional advise.
Mar 5th, 2008, 11:47 PM
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there is no Malaria in Johanensburg, there is no need at all for MAlaria pills. As for the South Africa, Botswana, Namibia trip, yes you are advised to take malaria medication. Please be aware it does not stop Malaria, and it has been found to sometimes mask the symptoms and months later you end up getting it and you are sick sick sick. I have travelled to all these areas, never taken malaria pills, and touch wood never got malaria, I spray spray spray and spray, my new cologne is a combination of tabard and peaceful sleep and long sleeve shirt and pants when out in the bush also helps. You are correct in that most good guides would spot if you were exhibitong symptoms, but sas it has a 10 day incubation period you will proberbly be on your way home before exhibiting any symptoms if you do get it. Please do not let them use your arm as a pin cushion for yellow fever and hepetitis it is not needed.
