Question: Does being on doxycycline make diagnosis more difficult or impossible? Answer: It is possible to diagnose malaria while taking doxycycline - if you are experiencing symptoms, then there are usually enough malaria parasites in your blood to be detected via rapid diagnostic test, or seen through a microscope via a blood smear. If you continue to take doxycycline while experiencing … [Read more...]
G6PD and Malaria
Question: I have a G6PD and I'm traveling to Nigeria They have told me that i have to get the vaccine Can I get it or is there any alternative for it? Answer: There is no commercially available vaccine for malaria so you should check with your medical practitioner to which vaccine he or she is referring. If you have G6PD, you should be able to take most common forms of medication used to … [Read more...]
Shelf Life of Malarone
QUESTION I've just finished reading several years' worth of your responses to questions and I'm very impressed. Thank you for being surely one of the best sources on the web. My question pertains to the shelf life of Malarone tablets. My husband and I have been in Madagascar for three weeks now and will stay for another two and a half months. I am very preventive-oriented (long sleeves, pants … [Read more...]
Anti Malaria Tablets – When to Start
QUESTION I am due to travel to South Goa on 27th October 2012. It is 9th Oct now. It says I should start taking my tablets 1 week before traveling, however I was wondering if it was okay to start taking them now so my body can get used to the side affects before I travel. I do not want to be ill all the time whilst I am away. ANSWER Yes, you do need to take preventive medicine against … [Read more...]
Malaria Infection Even With Prevention
QUESTION Can you still get infected with Malaria even when taking a preventative such as doxycycline or Malarone? ANSWER Yes, no prophylactic medication is 100% effective though both Malarone and doxycycline are usually over 90% effective, when taken properly. It is important to make sure each tablet is taken approximately at the same time each day, and in the case of Malarone, it is … [Read more...]
Preventative Medication for Malaria in Dominican Republic
QUESTION I just read the CDC recommended medicines for preventing malaria and I am confused. It gives the pros and cons for taking one drug over another. My husband and I are in excellent health, we need our td boosters. Our 15 year old is current in his vaccinations. We will be in D.R. for 2.5 weeks near Jarabacoa then Rio San Juan. We will be on a missionary trip. What medicine should be take … [Read more...]
Malaria in Namibia
QUESTION could you please let me know, whether or not a malaria prophylaxe injection is necessary for a 3-weeks trip by car in Namibia, starting mid August. ANSWER It depends on where you are going in Namibia. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, malaria is transmitted in Namibia in the provinces of Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and … [Read more...]
What to do while on malaria medication
QUESTION Good day, I'm a 27yr old male currently in Nigeria. I would like to know my do's and don'ts while on malaria medication. I ask this so I know what to forego in my athletic lifestyle- I visit the gym 3-4 times a week and have recently started horse riding. ANSWER There isn't any restriction on the kinds of activities you can enjoy while on malaria medication! You should be able to … [Read more...]
Malaria Prophylaxis for Indonesia
QUESTION I have been working a 4-week rotation between the USA and East Kalimantan (Borneo) for about 2 years. While on Borneo, I am in the jungle much of the time. I have never contracted malaria. I am embarrassed to say I thought I had been inoculated for malaria when I first started working here. I just spent 10 days in a hospital last month fighting a blood degenerating viral infection not … [Read more...]
Doxycycline After Malaria Diagnosis
QUESTION My daughter is 24 and in rural Uganda for 4 months. She has been diagnosed with malaria (plasmodium falciparum) and is taking treatment now. Treatment is 3 tablets of Neosidar tablets contain of sulfadoxine BP and of pyrimethamine followed tonight and for the next 3 days by 4 tablets of Lumarten in the morning and at bedtime with milk. Lumarten is a mix of artemether and lumefantrine. … [Read more...]