Which malaria preventative?
Feb 27th, 2007, 10:57 AM
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Which malaria preventative?
Hi all. Headed to Singita in May and currently having some difficulties figuring out which malaria-preventing medicine to take. Doxycycline is out as that family of antibiotics gives me terrible acid refulx, and the current Malarone "trial" I am doing seems to be giving me hives. (Although there is the off chance that it's just job and wedding planning stress, not the Malarone.) I am otherwise a perfectly healthy 30 yo woman, so no major concerns. What have people here successfully taken in the past?
Feb 27th, 2007, 12:19 PM
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In May you could probably get away without a prophylactic. Wear long sleeves in the evening and early morning and you should be fine. If that is not enough give yourself a squirt of "peaceful sleep" and that will kleep off any of the last resiliant massies that haven't followed the rule and gone dormant for the winter.
Feb 28th, 2007, 06:52 AM
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When this question is posed, the poster is always told to speak to a professional. However, it's important to note that general practioners are rarely current on what's what. And those specialists in tropical diseases tend to be alarmist and push everything.
So comments from non-professionals are for "information" only. Then, armed with these comments, along with medical details from reputable sites, should a traveler discuss with whichever pro then feel will provide the proper answers.
I would sure hope no one who reads these postings from non-professionals would take our words as "set in stone."
They're only asking questions; the final decision belongs to the poster with professional input.
So comments from non-professionals are for "information" only. Then, armed with these comments, along with medical details from reputable sites, should a traveler discuss with whichever pro then feel will provide the proper answers.
I would sure hope no one who reads these postings from non-professionals would take our words as "set in stone."
They're only asking questions; the final decision belongs to the poster with professional input.
Feb 28th, 2007, 07:18 AM
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Kaye,
I am an AFRICAN and have lived on the continent for some decades and have even existed in known MALARIA areas without consuming anti malarial prophylactics. I have survived because I know what should and shouldn't be done, consequently my comments are out of experience.....In May it is UNLIKELY, not IMPOSSIBLE to come into contact with mosquitoes. ABCDC has, by the sounds of it severe reactions to quinine, or othere chems in the drug, which she can IMO opinion avoid entirely by being cautious in her dress and behaviour.
Also ABCDC did ask what others had tried and experienced....
Perhaps my knowledge and experience compared to yours and others might be considered a "specialised" field?
I would never mislead anyone. In this instance she is potentially getting worried over a relatively insignificant element of her trip. Singita...likely that she'll be shrouded in mosssie nets throughout her stay, and given the rates they charge not unlikely that she won't have an attending staff member keeping the mossies at bay.
I am an AFRICAN and have lived on the continent for some decades and have even existed in known MALARIA areas without consuming anti malarial prophylactics. I have survived because I know what should and shouldn't be done, consequently my comments are out of experience.....In May it is UNLIKELY, not IMPOSSIBLE to come into contact with mosquitoes. ABCDC has, by the sounds of it severe reactions to quinine, or othere chems in the drug, which she can IMO opinion avoid entirely by being cautious in her dress and behaviour.
Also ABCDC did ask what others had tried and experienced....
Perhaps my knowledge and experience compared to yours and others might be considered a "specialised" field?
I would never mislead anyone. In this instance she is potentially getting worried over a relatively insignificant element of her trip. Singita...likely that she'll be shrouded in mosssie nets throughout her stay, and given the rates they charge not unlikely that she won't have an attending staff member keeping the mossies at bay.
Feb 28th, 2007, 02:41 PM
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August is winter in East Africa. So mossie biting time from dusk to dawn will be cool to cold. These mossies do not like cold, wind or altitude... so likely there won't be many around.
Nairobi is at 5000', many places in the Mara and Samburu, likewise are at high altitudes, but not all. Depends on where specifically you are staying.
Mombasa and Tanzania and other coastal regions are tropical, so expect temps to be hotter than on the mainland and humid - all means perfect breeding for mossies, even in East African winter. Regardless the time of year, I wouldn't think to forego malaria meds if visiting the coast.
Should individuals take malaria preventatives during "winter" if only inland? Some won't, but slather themselves with repellent, wear long pants, sleeves and socks; others won't chance it and take the pills and also protect themselves.
All you need is one misguided malaria mossie and "the gigs up" - malaria is a nasty disease, killing millions of people a year, worldwide. Taking meds, will not prevent malaria, but should one contract the disease, supposedly symptoms are lessened. One of these days, maybe in our lifetime, we'll see an inoculation, but until that time you've got to have the information and discuss with a professional to arrive at a decision.
As to those who live in Africa in areas endemic for malaria, most do not take malaria meds as the longterm effects can almost be as unpleasant as the disease. Those who live in major cities, such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, Capetown (and others) have no real need, as malaria mossies have either been eradicated or few are found. But of those I know who live in Africa, with few exceptions, have had at least one episode of malaria - some as children, others as adults. It's not pleasant.
Arm yourself with information and make a decision for yourself and family members. You want to bring home good memories from Africa, not malaria which often can remain undetected in the body for years.
Nairobi is at 5000', many places in the Mara and Samburu, likewise are at high altitudes, but not all. Depends on where specifically you are staying.
Mombasa and Tanzania and other coastal regions are tropical, so expect temps to be hotter than on the mainland and humid - all means perfect breeding for mossies, even in East African winter. Regardless the time of year, I wouldn't think to forego malaria meds if visiting the coast.
Should individuals take malaria preventatives during "winter" if only inland? Some won't, but slather themselves with repellent, wear long pants, sleeves and socks; others won't chance it and take the pills and also protect themselves.
All you need is one misguided malaria mossie and "the gigs up" - malaria is a nasty disease, killing millions of people a year, worldwide. Taking meds, will not prevent malaria, but should one contract the disease, supposedly symptoms are lessened. One of these days, maybe in our lifetime, we'll see an inoculation, but until that time you've got to have the information and discuss with a professional to arrive at a decision.
As to those who live in Africa in areas endemic for malaria, most do not take malaria meds as the longterm effects can almost be as unpleasant as the disease. Those who live in major cities, such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, Capetown (and others) have no real need, as malaria mossies have either been eradicated or few are found. But of those I know who live in Africa, with few exceptions, have had at least one episode of malaria - some as children, others as adults. It's not pleasant.
Arm yourself with information and make a decision for yourself and family members. You want to bring home good memories from Africa, not malaria which often can remain undetected in the body for years.
Feb 28th, 2007, 03:58 PM
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Hi Mkhonzo,
Avoiding malaria is not the same an answering questions regarding medications that you may take for malaria, taking into account your own medical history - so I would still be going to a travel specialist and if as suggested, they push everything down your throat, then a decision would need to be made upon that information. Speaking for myself I am on drugs for the rest of my life for my health issues, so in summer I will take malaria, but in winter I don't, which is against the advice given to me, but my choice. But in saying that in May/June 2003, in the Sabi Sands I did get Dengue Fever, which took the best part of 10 months to recover from, and I was on anti-malaria drugs and I am really careful to avoid mozzies.
So I strongly advice people to seek professional advice, as without doubt, you are the one stuck with the problems!
Kind regards,
Kaye
Avoiding malaria is not the same an answering questions regarding medications that you may take for malaria, taking into account your own medical history - so I would still be going to a travel specialist and if as suggested, they push everything down your throat, then a decision would need to be made upon that information. Speaking for myself I am on drugs for the rest of my life for my health issues, so in summer I will take malaria, but in winter I don't, which is against the advice given to me, but my choice. But in saying that in May/June 2003, in the Sabi Sands I did get Dengue Fever, which took the best part of 10 months to recover from, and I was on anti-malaria drugs and I am really careful to avoid mozzies.
So I strongly advice people to seek professional advice, as without doubt, you are the one stuck with the problems!
Kind regards,
Kaye
Feb 28th, 2007, 04:16 PM
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Abbyo.
I agree with Sandi on her assessement of the risk in east Africa, however the inclusion of the Mombasa coast would be my red flag and as a visitor to the area would go protected.
Kaye I understand your position and respect it.
I agree with Sandi on her assessement of the risk in east Africa, however the inclusion of the Mombasa coast would be my red flag and as a visitor to the area would go protected.
Kaye I understand your position and respect it.
Feb 28th, 2007, 04:21 PM
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The risk of malaria is low but not zero. Like the rhythm method of birth control the repurcussions can be problematic. While at Singita I met a ranger who was having his 4th episode of malaria and none to happy about it. Many, many people die from this disease and you can certainly be tested for drug allergy prior to going so don't opt out. I agree with mkonzo that many Africans do not take prophylaxis but it exactly for the reasons Sandi has said that the long term effects of prophylaxis may be worse than being treated for the disease. Also, many black Africans have some resistance to malaria because of variants of sickle cell hemoglobin. That is in fact a theory as to the origin of sickle cell disease as a protective to malaria...those with sickle cell lived long enough to reproduce even though it is a serious disease itself it was better than dying young of malaria..."survival of the fittest". Sorry for the somewhat depressing medical discussion but I thought it is important not to minimize the risk.
Regards,
Eric
Regards,
Eric
Mar 2nd, 2007, 03:02 PM
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Eric, Just to add to your post, 1 million people die of malaria each year. seventy five percent are children. The estimate is that 10 to 20 times that number contract malaria but do not die. It is just foolish to think of travel to Africa without an adequate antimalarial in your kit.
Chuck
Chuck
Mar 2nd, 2007, 08:35 PM
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Malorone. Better safe than sorry unless in known "malaria free zone". Find a travel clinic that specializes in "travel medicine" and let them prescribe the proper drug for you based on any reactions. Personally, I would never do Larium which is known for lots of weird side effects. Malorone was just fine for my wife & I, but check with a Dr who really knows about travel medicine. You can always go the bug spray route or do nothing at all, but remember it's all a crap shoot, regardless what time of year. Do what's best for you. Congrats on your upcoming wedding. We were married at Mateya Safari Lodge, Madikwe Reserve, SA, last May 27. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything
