QUESTION Which drug is better for kids for anti-malaria - Malarone or Mefloquine. I have heard about lot of side-effects of Mefloquine. So, which is a safer drug out of these two or is there any other drug with no side-effects? Is it important to take anti-malaria pills keeping in mind the side-effects? ANSWER Both drugs are considered safe for children, though Malarone … [Read more...]
Coartem Treatment
QUESTION my husband has been taking coartem for 3 days now. He was fine yesterday and then last night the symptoms re-appeared like it was day one. Can I carry on with coartem and start another course? Or shall I switch to something else ? If so, what? We live in zambia by the way. Thank you for your help. ANSWER If your husband still has strong symptoms after taking all doses of the … [Read more...]
How to Prevent Malaria
QUESTION How to prevent malaria? ANSWER There are a number of ways to prevent malaria. These can be placed into two categories: medication and vector protection. For medication, there are drugs you can take to prevent the malaria parasite from developing after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. These drugs are known as “chemoprophylaxis." There are several different kinds, … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatments
QUESTION What are the of different types of antimalaria drugs? ANSWER Most drugs used in treatment are active against the parasite forms in the blood (the form that causes disease) and include: chloroquine atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®) artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®) artesunate-pyronaridine (Pyramax®) dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (Duo-Cotecxin®) mefloquine … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention
QUESTION What is malaria and the preventive measures? ANSWER Malaria is a disease caused by single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are currently five species which cause disease in humans, and while each is slightly different, they all act in basically the same way, and cause similar symptoms. Of the five, the most dangerous is Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to … [Read more...]
Malaria Prophylaxis in Ghana, Africa
QUESTION My husband will be traveling to Ghana soon. We have Mefloquine and Primaquine. Which one do you think is best for prophylaxis in Ghana? He also has Fansidar, but we understand it's best not to use this for prophylaxis. Thank you for your help! ANSWER There are positives and negatives associated with both of these medications. Mefloquine is recommended for travelers in Ghana … [Read more...]
Malaria in Borneo, Indonesia
QUESTION We fly to Borneo tomorrow and have been very stupid not thinking about Malaria medication. Can someone quickly tell if I should take medication when there and also what type would be best to take? Thank you for your help. ANSWER Yes! Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for trips to Indonesian Borneo, particularly rural areas. Recommended forms of prophylaxis are Malarone … [Read more...]
How to Protect from Malaria
QUESTION How can I protect my body from malaria? ANSWER There are a number of ways to prevent malaria. These can be placed into two categories: medication and vector protection. For medication, there are drugs you can take to prevent the malaria parasite from developing after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. These drugs are known as "chemoprophylaxis". There are several … [Read more...]
Paludrine/Avloclor Anti Malaria Travel Pack
QUESTION Is this anti malaria travel pack suitable for Borneo? ANSWER This kit is NOT appropriate for preventing malaria in Borneo. Avloclor contain chloroquine phosphate, and some types of malaria present in Borneo are resistant to chloroquine. The CDC recommends that travelers to Malaysian or Indonesian Borneo should use atovaquone-proguanil (Paludrine contains proguanil, but the … [Read more...]
Malaria Prophylaxis in Pakistan
QUESTION Do I need antimalarials if i am returning to my home country in pakistan after two years? ANSWER That depends on where you will be going in Pakistan and how long you are planning on staying. Malaria is a risk at all areas under 2,500m of altitude. However, antimalarials are not recommended to be taken on a long-term basis, so if you are relocating home permanently and will be in … [Read more...]