Malaria?

nick_riviera

I'm thinking about doing 3 months voluntary work in either Ghana or Thailand,haven't decided yet!I got a bit worried while reading travellers reports about malaria in Ghana,as well as the side effects of the various anti-malarial drugs.Anyone with any experience of sub-Saharan Africa have any thoughts?

Vexorg

I cant comment on sub saharan africa, but if there is a chance of catching malaria, it probably outweighs the side affects of any anti malaria drugs.

I have only taken anti malaria tablets on 2 occasions, once for 3 months and on the second occasion for 2 months, didnt notice any side affects. I have no idea what brand they were, They were the pills recommended to me when I got my various cholerea typhoid etc etc shots.

Talk to the staff at Royal College of Surgeons travel health center, they will have the most up to date info on what starins of malaria are active in the area you are going to and what drugs and their side affects are recommended to treat.


Vex.

Borzoi

I never ha d a problem with the anti-malarial drugs, but my friend did with the first type he was on, but then changed to a different one and everything was ok.

But all the warnings are that the drugs are not 100% effective

TU154

Avoid Lariam, that's the one that all the controversy is over. Apart from the possible very nasty side effects, (outright psychosis in some people) the more general side effects include the most vivid dreams and nightmares you will ever experience. I mean waking up screaming and shouting out of nightmares. And I'm speaking from experience.
Do a search on Lariam and you'll find plenty on it.
Use the tropical medical center to get your shots and tell them you'd prefer not to use Lariam, they will recommend one of the alternatives. I think it's being prescribed less thee days anyways.
As Borzoi says, they're not always 100%, so cover up when they're about and use plenty of high %age deet repellent.
I'm sure you'll come across people who say don't bother with an anti malarial. I know one person who has died from it and through the company I know of several more, so ignore those that say there's no need, take the stuff and the other precautions.

Coyote

Lariam lovey lovey Lariam
sleeping too well ?
not haveing mad dreams ?
I use it when i was in china
worst i had was very very mad dreams.
and very little sleep, hard to sleep with them.
you need to start takeing them a good bit befor you leave
to check that they are not too bad. + it takes a few weeks to
work.
I stoped takeing mine just befor i got in Vietnam.
they wernt worth it + have never been bitten by a mosquito or
at least don't have a reaction to them

I'm not saying don't take some thing but try them out befor you
go away and if they don't feel nice after a few weeks of takeing
them get some thing different.

Coyote

Evil Phil

I hate to sound smart *cough* but the best prevention is not to get bitten by mozzies. Seriously. Wear long sleeves and long trousers if possible. If not wear plenty of deet. Don´t go for the 100% stuff as it just stays on the surface of your skin. Go for something about 25% that sinks in and you´ll be fine. If you´re in Thailand go for Autan - tis great.

Other than that Larium gives me crazy dreams and a sick tummy

Wook

Have spend three weeks in thailand in september (just before rainseason) and havent seen a single muskitto.
(stick to tht cities, dont go wandering into the jungle)

whiteshadow

There is not much reason to worry about
malaria mozzies in thailand
only in Koh Chang.. where there is a danger..
elsewhere it's considered safe

I just got 5 months supply of a daily malaria tablet
called Di oxy something...
apparently the daily tabs are a bit better.

only thing is they're expensive
It's like anitbiotics prices..
(spent €260 on the 5 month supply)

and bring loads of mozzy spray
with as much DEET in it as possible

nick_riviera

Thanks for the info folks.

I've opted for Thailand,will be up in a town called Nong Khai in the north of the country.I'll try and steer clear of Lariam if possible,but will take something if its recommended.Good advice on avoiding bites altogether,malaria isn't the only thing you can get from a mosquito.