Malaria Medication

[DMMatlin]

I've used both Doxy and Larium.

My unconditional vote is for Doxy. It is very easy to use and had no photosensitivity for me. it is also a low level antibacterial also which may help with "deli belly" if you're unlucky to have a little bout.

But with Larium the side effects for me were horrendous. Everything listed in the brochure and more. Severe hallucinations and no sleep for 36 hours...not a lot of fun

 

[pagingjoan]

I've taken several forms of anti-malaria medication over the years, and have experienced the crazy dreams, disorientation, extreme photo sensitivity, and severe rashes.

Changing to Malarone was a blessing. No reactions at all, when taken on several trips to malaria-prone areas in recent years.

It is more expensive but, for me, worth every extra cent. And it is generally taken for a shorter period, which is an added benefit.

Of course, not everybody suffers the side effects of the less expensive medication. Good advice in earlier posts. Consult a good travel medical practitioner.

 

[yo yo ma]

One of the contractor companies that work for us up in PNG enforces that all their workers take anti-malarials even though it is a low risk area (highlands). I end up treating those taking anti-malarials for a variety of complaints related to the medications... most commonly back pain and weird dreams with Malarone and a variety of gastro-intestinal complaints with doxy.

The best malaria protection is:
* cover-up - long sleeves & long pants; particularly from dusk to dawn
* use insect repellant (containing DEET) on exposed areas
* use fly-screens and mosquito nets
* remove any pools of stagnant water near housing
* seek treatment early if any symptoms of malaria - headache, fever, joint pain or body aches

Also one of the helicopter pilots has told me that he has been coming to PNG for 25 years and has been treated for malaria 4 times in the first 10 years while taking anti-malarials. He then stopped taking them and has never had malaria since. A reason for this may be complacency - not taking personal protective measures as he was taking the medications.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If I travel to a malarial area....as when you are asleep is a prime risk time to be bitten, I always travel with my own mosquito net as not all rooms have one, and some that do have "holey" nets.

 

[highflyingkiwi]

I don't take anti-malarial's here in PNG as the advise was not to be on them for a long period of time, I struggled with them 20 odd years ago when in the navy. Earlier this year I got malaria and for 2 months felt like I had one foot in the grave. I had a combination of falciparum and vivax, and was then screwed over by all the drugs they pumped into me. On the bright side I lost close to 20kg that I did need to lose, but it took over 6 months to feel like I was back in the right space.

I'm still not taking anti-malarial's, but as "yo yo mama" has said, I cover up, apply repellant and listen to my local team.

Unfortunatly I believe that a lot of malaria is misdiagnosed here in PNG as people cannot afford proper tests, are then clinically diagnosed and pumped full of drugs. The symptoms of malaria are very similar to flu, but the sweats and hallucinations are something else . Most of my staff have come in to work with "malaria" but have never been tested - so please, if you suspect Malaria, get a rapid test or better. And if you have just devoured a dozen bottles of dodgy Egyptian beer the night before, then you are seriously messed up and nothing short of 2 days sleep will cure

 

[Tortuga]

I worked for a few months in Africa (Ghana and Cameroon), I decided not to take the anti-malarial's. We got given a presentation on it which suggested we take them because the side effects are less damaging than malaria and possibly death. What was said above is correct, the fact I wasn't taking them made me a lot more aware and careful to ensure I didn't get bitten. Research suggests the falciparum carrying mosquitoes generally only feed at night (trust them to be women as well !!). A few of my colleagues were taking malarone with a variety of side effects, mostly sore stomachs/diarrhoea/headaches/weird dreams. In the end the individual needs to decide, I know a few people who were taking anti-malarias and still ended up with malaria, although what I have read seems to think malarone is up to 95% effective when taken correctly... Who knows ? Do a risk analysis and form a conclusion.