Malaria in Tanzania
Dec 21st, 2006, 07:52 PM
#1
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Malaria in Tanzania
We are leaving for a climb on Kili next week and I am still not sure I want to take the Malarone that I paid so dearly to get.
Can anyone give us some sound advice on whether or not we will really need to take it. We will be in Arusha for 2 nights before taking our climb and then 1 after we are done.
Can anyone give us some sound advice on whether or not we will really need to take it. We will be in Arusha for 2 nights before taking our climb and then 1 after we are done.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 04:46 AM
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There is no preventative for Malaria... in otherword, the world is still waiting for an inoculation; where Bill & Melinda Gates' "big bucks" are going.
That said, malaria is a nasty disease and though meds can lessen the effects, if one comes down with it, it stays with you for life.
While altitude (Kili climb) is not a place that malaria mossie like or fly, know that it's been very wet in East Africa. Wet = mossies abound, so even if for the short time you're in Arusha, take the pills you've already paid for. Better safe, than sorry.
That said, malaria is a nasty disease and though meds can lessen the effects, if one comes down with it, it stays with you for life.
While altitude (Kili climb) is not a place that malaria mossie like or fly, know that it's been very wet in East Africa. Wet = mossies abound, so even if for the short time you're in Arusha, take the pills you've already paid for. Better safe, than sorry.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 05:24 AM
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Do you have a particular concern that makes you afraid to take the pills? A good travel doc can help you balance out the risks of not taking them versus the risks of taking them.
I believe that the general consensus is that it is much riskier to skip them than to take them.
I believe that the general consensus is that it is much riskier to skip them than to take them.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 08:34 PM
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Hi,
I agree with the others - malaria is bet avoided.
I'm not sure what Malarone is but on my last trip to East Africa in 2003 I was prescribed a particular antibiotic that counters the effects of malaria if you contact it.
On a trip to Tanzania a number of years ago my 12 year old son contacted malaria (despite taking malaria tablets) and was very ill. We were at Iringa in the middle of Tanzania and went to the local clinic. They were fantastic...diagnosed it on the spot and started treating it.
Malpa
I agree with the others - malaria is bet avoided.
I'm not sure what Malarone is but on my last trip to East Africa in 2003 I was prescribed a particular antibiotic that counters the effects of malaria if you contact it.
On a trip to Tanzania a number of years ago my 12 year old son contacted malaria (despite taking malaria tablets) and was very ill. We were at Iringa in the middle of Tanzania and went to the local clinic. They were fantastic...diagnosed it on the spot and started treating it.
Malpa
Dec 22nd, 2006, 09:44 PM
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Thank you for all the advice. I just don't like having to take any kind of medications for anything if I can avoid them and so far between all the vaccinations, malaria pills and probably something for the altitude headache I feel like I'm overloading myself with drugs.
Just a personal thing really.
I have been watching the weather there for weeks and all the rain is sure to bring on the mossies.
We are doing the Rongai route which is supposed to have less rain so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Just a personal thing really.
I have been watching the weather there for weeks and all the rain is sure to bring on the mossies.
We are doing the Rongai route which is supposed to have less rain so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 11:58 PM
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On my last visit to Africa I took Malarone for 4 months( yeah and it costed me a small fortune) and I didnīt have any side effects. I met some people who did get malaria and after I have heard their stories I am so glad that I used a lot of money on the pills.
Most people donīt get side effects from using malarone,but with the old stuff such as lariam it is another story. I used malarone because it around 99% effective vs. Lariam which is only 90% effective and you could get a lot of strange side effects from that.
So my opinion is, take the pills.
PS: Hope you make it to the top, I climbed Kili in 2003 and I found the last night complete torture, but I made it. I did the Machame Route. So be prepared for a hard trek!
Most people donīt get side effects from using malarone,but with the old stuff such as lariam it is another story. I used malarone because it around 99% effective vs. Lariam which is only 90% effective and you could get a lot of strange side effects from that.
So my opinion is, take the pills.
PS: Hope you make it to the top, I climbed Kili in 2003 and I found the last night complete torture, but I made it. I did the Machame Route. So be prepared for a hard trek!
Dec 25th, 2006, 12:21 AM
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taking Malarone for 4 months ...
in addition to RISK chances and Side-effects, here comes another factor:
Long-Term Effect -
taking pills for a long time does have its effects (e.g. on the liver) though i must say i haven't researched the Malarone on this point. On long stays it may be a good thing to do...
dubaidonna
According to your It',your chances for malaria are low - but the risk isn't
(i wouldn't tell you what i'd do ...)
but, i've had malaria ...
another recent thread about Malaria thread http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...6&start=50
aby
PS
another thing - after having Malaria one cannot donate blood for years.
It was a problem for me on an emergency situation
in addition to RISK chances and Side-effects, here comes another factor:
Long-Term Effect -
taking pills for a long time does have its effects (e.g. on the liver) though i must say i haven't researched the Malarone on this point. On long stays it may be a good thing to do...
dubaidonna
According to your It',your chances for malaria are low - but the risk isn't
(i wouldn't tell you what i'd do ...)
but, i've had malaria ...
another recent thread about Malaria thread http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...6&start=50
aby
PS
another thing - after having Malaria one cannot donate blood for years.
It was a problem for me on an emergency situation
Dec 25th, 2006, 02:59 AM
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to add to Aby ---
... and after taking malarie MEDS, you CANNOT donate blood for at least a year.
This happened to me when I had taken Lariam (BM - before Malarone). Though I have volunteered to donate, just indicating on the application in response to question "have your traveled outside the country? where" - being in Africa... the blood bank doesn't want to chance you may be harboring the disease.
I haven't given blood for years, except for my own surgery some years back.
... and after taking malarie MEDS, you CANNOT donate blood for at least a year.
This happened to me when I had taken Lariam (BM - before Malarone). Though I have volunteered to donate, just indicating on the application in response to question "have your traveled outside the country? where" - being in Africa... the blood bank doesn't want to chance you may be harboring the disease.
I haven't given blood for years, except for my own surgery some years back.
Dec 27th, 2006, 06:14 PM
#12
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I will take the Malarone just to play it safe.
We are leaving tonight and have 2 days on the ground before we start our trek up the Rongai route on New Year's Eve morning.
Wish you all a Happy New Year!
Keep your fingers xxx for me that I make it to the top as that will "top" off my 12 years in the Middle East before I repatriate back to the US in June.
Kili, here we come....
We are leaving tonight and have 2 days on the ground before we start our trek up the Rongai route on New Year's Eve morning.
Wish you all a Happy New Year!
Keep your fingers xxx for me that I make it to the top as that will "top" off my 12 years in the Middle East before I repatriate back to the US in June.
Kili, here we come....
