Is there anyone who hasn't taken Malaria meds while in a malaria zone in Africa? I just picked up my prescription for Malarone, bought 100% DEET bug spray and I'm ready if I have to take it, but the side effects of these things worry me.

What are the true chances of getting Malaria if I just use long clothes, regular bug spray (25% DEET seems what most products in US have, like OFF) and mosquito nets at night? Am I taking a big risk or are these meds and strong sprays we take just extra precaution?

There are many threads here about malaria meds. Most people these days are taking Malarone. Few have side-effects.

Remember: There is no inoculation against malaria (it's a long time in coming and would be nice one of these years), so meds are only a preventative and no guarantee you won't be bitten by a malaria carrying mossie. Even if taking meds, should one come down with malaria, it's supposed to be less toxic than if one didn't take meds. But, even that is no guarantee.

Remember: Malaria, is a nasty disease, killing millions worldwide annually. You want to return home from Africa with good memories and souvenirs. Not with a disease that often doesn't show itself till sometime after returing and can even remain in the system for a few years before presenting itself.

While those who live in Africa, rarely take meds, almost everyone has had an episode or two of malaria.

If you can find it, there's a report by "kavey" when her dad came down with malaria. Not pretty! Or when Chris Matthews of Hardball (MSNBC) contracted this some years back. Again, not pretty!

You've paid for the pills, might as well take them.

I use the pills only as stand-by medication when visiting savanna parks during dry season (Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe), or visiting remote areas with low human population density (Okavango Delta). This is one of the recommendations by WHO for malaria 'C' regions. However, I strongly suggest that you take your Malaria drugs at least during one trip to learn about any side effects.

The only time I got bitten by a mosquito was while I slept, and it was on my face. But there was no way I was putting Deet on my face while I slept. After all,t they tell you to wash it off before you go to sleep. The stuff is too toxic. So, I took malarone and completely skipped the toxic sprays and such.

Did you not even wear DEET then? I used it in the military and am fine - at least I think I am , but back then I didn't know any better. Now I hear that if you apply it to sensitive areas like near your spine, back of neck and other sensitive areas, it can cause neurological damage. I'm healthy before this trip and don't want to come back unhealthy due to medicine.

I read whether its 100% or 25% DEET, it has the same effectiveness, just one lasts longer than other. So my next question is why not just wear 25% DEET and re-apply as needed? Seems less toxic. I think I might do this as I'm not doing any crazy trekking or (military patrols at night where its inconvenient to reapply as needed) - I'll only be outside at night for a few hours at a time before I go to sleep.

The malaria pills still have me on edge, but I guess I like Malarone better than the stuff the military uses (begins with an L) - that stuff is suspected a cause in the Ft. Bragg killings a few years back.

Steve

Nope, didn't use it at all. As I said, I didn't get bitten except for about half a dozen times while I slept.

I'm very susceptible to bad reactions from medication, so Larium scared the living daylights out of me. Hell, I get nightmares just from Nyquil. But I had no reaction whatsoever to Malarone.

I read an article in National Geographic on malaria this summer. After reading that article, there was no way I wasn't taking the malarone...one time, every day.

My Doctor has prescribed Doryx as our Malaria medication whilst in Africa...is that the same thing as Malarone??

That's an antibiotic (tetracycline). Weird. I've heard of taking it for malaria prevention, but I don't believe it's a preferred method. If you're female, make sure you bring Monistat or similar with you just in case.

saridder,

I don't take any anti-malarials....especially, in the dry season i bearly see any mosquitos (the only exception is at sightings in swampy areas).

However, i am from India ......

I take malarone and use the deet around my ankles only. most of the lodges i've stayed at supply a spray repellent called "Peaceful Sleep" and seems to work as I've never been bitten by a skeeter.

No DEET or insect repellent for me.

Isn't that crazy, going on a nature trip and using all kind of chemicals to "protect" the human body? I really wonder what causes more harm...

I havn't seen many mosquitos during dry season, and even during rainy season it's bearable. Visiting the rain forests in Congo or Gabon might be another story...

The only pest are tsetse, and even 200% DEET won't help here.

A South African I know served in the SA military and spent years in the malaria areas in northern Nambia. He didn't use repellent or medication but did eat large amounts of raw garlic. He did not contract malaria and said even when mosquitos were everywhere he wasn't bitten but his fellow soldiers were. I didn't try it and took malarone but if you want to experiment.

Would recomend you take the meds.
Us that live here dont. The problem is it can hide the symtoms. If you have any feeling of flue etc just remember to tell your doctor that you have been in a malaria area.You can also get a home testkit for malaria. Mozzie net and peacefull sleep normally does it.
Old wifes tail but good excuse to have a few Gin and Tonics.

Hi, I've been a lurker here for a while in preparation for a Botswana trip in June 2008.

Of course taking meds is a personal decision but did want to pass along a sad anecdote -- an expat here in Shanghai was prescribed the antibiotic as malaria prevention, prior to her trip to Africa. She only took it a week however, as opposed to the full month course. She developed malaria symptoms after her return -- and then unfortunately due to misdiagnosis, she died (which is why it was covered in the news).

Apologies for my first forum post to be so negative!

Regards,

Mary Sue

Nyama,

I use the "peaceful sleep" spray on my clothes, not on my skin. I do it around sunset usually......

There was one tented camp(not lodge) that i visited, where the tent was meshed shut all around, including the bathroom so that there would be no flies or mossies or whatever! They still had mosquito coil/repellent and mossie net!

Hari

Hi there,

I am a inhabitant of Windhoek, Namibia and have also lived in a malaria-risk area up in the northern parts of Nam, for some years.

Many GP's advice against using any antimalarial drugs as the symptoms are very much similar to flu and are thus suppressed and not easily diagnosed for what it is.

But I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry...

A Great day for all.

hi

i've not taken pills on lots of Safaris
(i have my reasons)

the only time i had Malaria was when i was taking medications, it was eons ago, at the Chloroquine+Daraprim era before Lariam was introduced. guess a new resistant / mutant strain got me...

aby

Th US military is still prescribing Lariam for the guys/gals going overseas. Shame on them. The drug is know to cause psychotic episodes in individuals and we've seen/heard of some of those with returning military personnel. Amazes me with the new med available they haven't switched. While few of us citizens get the Malarone at discount prices (those who have drug plans) the US government sure can.

For those who can't take Lariam or Malarone, doxycyline is recommended... this being an antibiotic, not specific for malaria. While less expensive, it too has side effects, and has to be taken longest of the other two.

For those who for whatever reason after many visits to Africa have decided against taking malaria preventatives they've made a personal decision for whatever reason and, hopefully, know what to look for as s symptomps of malaria. You're not in that position.

As a first and maybe only time traveler to Africa, it's suggested you follow the protocol that has been set out by your physician. Pop the pill each morning with food, preferrably dairy products, use repellent on exposed skin between dusk to dawn (25-35% is fine), wear long sleeves, pants and socks and you should be fine.

Don't sweat over this, any more than you did over the visa being purchased at the border entry points.

Happy travels.

saridder you did not state where you are going.

I employ a lot of people in Tanzania and they get malaria at all times of the year from unexplained sources and places. A guide goes on a northern circuit safari and a week later has malaria? A porter lives high on the slopes of Mt. Meru near Arusha yet gets malaria - in Arusha?

You simply cannot cover up completely. Remember mossies bite through clothes.

Another example, what if you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (when malaria risks are higher)?

Being tough is no substitute for being smart.

I regularly see very strong young men & women in pretty bad malaria shape. For an unfit couch potato from the west it may be deadly as others stated.

To minimize nasty chemicals on my skin I stopped DEET a long time ago and use only lemon eucalyptus products with great success - in addition to my malaria pills.

Medicine is far from an exact science. There is no prophylaxis that is 100% effective against malaria. The only 100% effective means of preventing malaria is to avoid being bitten by a mosquito in a malaria area.

If you are bitten by a mosquito, you are much, much less likely to contract malaria if you are on a course of Malarone. You are also much less likely to contract malaria if you are on a course of certain anti-biotoics such as doxycycline.

There is also a risk to taking Malarone or doxycycline. The risks associated with malaria infection are much greater than the risks of taking Malarone or antibiotics. Still, it is certainly possible that any individual will draw the unlucky number.

If you are looking for a risk-free vacation, an African safari isn't for you. However, it is certainly possible to manage your risks wisely.