CDC India Malaria Risk: For Military and not average travelers?
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
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There isn't a "best" anti-malarial for everyone.
While Malarone has the fewest side effects (and those you've read about as being dire are almost always at treatment doses, not prevention doses), there are people who can't tolerate Malarone. Roosevelt is one of those people, Craig, another regular poster is another.
Larium is the ant-malarial with the most side effects and the greatest proportion of people who have side effects can be used without problems by many, like jacketwatch. If you choose Larium, you will be advised to take a test dose a few weeks before you travel. IF you are going to have serious side effects from Larium, it is usually evident within the first two doses. Also, there is Larium resistance in SE Asia - Cambodia, border areas of Thailand and Burma.
Doxycycline tends to have rather minor side effects for most people - increased sun sensitivity, vaginal yeast infections or women - but since it has to be taken at about the same time every day and must be continued for 4 weeks after leaving the malarial risk area, there are more opportunities to miss doses which impacts effectiveness dramatically.
While Malarone has the fewest side effects (and those you've read about as being dire are almost always at treatment doses, not prevention doses), there are people who can't tolerate Malarone. Roosevelt is one of those people, Craig, another regular poster is another.
Larium is the ant-malarial with the most side effects and the greatest proportion of people who have side effects can be used without problems by many, like jacketwatch. If you choose Larium, you will be advised to take a test dose a few weeks before you travel. IF you are going to have serious side effects from Larium, it is usually evident within the first two doses. Also, there is Larium resistance in SE Asia - Cambodia, border areas of Thailand and Burma.
Doxycycline tends to have rather minor side effects for most people - increased sun sensitivity, vaginal yeast infections or women - but since it has to be taken at about the same time every day and must be continued for 4 weeks after leaving the malarial risk area, there are more opportunities to miss doses which impacts effectiveness dramatically.
#22
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I agree, everyone's system is different.
Dehydration is another factor to consider. I worry about not finding bathrooms on these types of trips and consume less fluid, which may alter the toxicity of some medications. I need to focus on doing a better job of hydrating when taking these medications.
Roosevelt.
Dehydration is another factor to consider. I worry about not finding bathrooms on these types of trips and consume less fluid, which may alter the toxicity of some medications. I need to focus on doing a better job of hydrating when taking these medications.
Roosevelt.
#23
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I guess we are lucky to be tolerant of lariam as its so easy to dose.
Roosevelt bets of luck in your preparations. I don't think finding a BR should be a problem. Do stay hydrated. Drink Indian beer. .
Roosevelt bets of luck in your preparations. I don't think finding a BR should be a problem. Do stay hydrated. Drink Indian beer. .