QUESTION My son is playing tennis in Rwanda, Africa. He feels terrible and I suspect it may be the Lariam. He has a fever and has been seeing stuff like snakes, etc. I am very worried as there is no doctor nearby. Is there anything to do to help him? The last Lariam he took was on Saturday. ANSWER Certainly Lariam is associated with some severe side effects, which include hallucinations … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention
QUESTION what is the prevention of malaria? ANSWER There are many ways in which to prevent malaria. I'll break them down into three categories: 1) medical prevention, 2) protection from getting mosquito bites and 3) vector control. 1) Medical prevention Malaria can be prevented using certain medications. Taking drugs to prevent a disease is known as "chemoprophylaxis", and so these … [Read more...]
Repellent for Malaria Mosquitos
QUESTION My daughter is leaving for Africa for 5 weeks on a mission trip. Is there a repellent that can be used to ward off these infected mosquitos? Also what can she do to stay safe and protected? ANSWER There is no way of warding off only those mosquitoes that are infected with malaria. However, insect repellents which contain DEET (10% or higher) are the most effective against the … [Read more...]
Malaria Symptoms, Cures, and Prevention
QUESTION What is malaria cure, prevention, symptom and course? ANSWER I am not sure what you mean by "course" - however, links to information on malaria treatment, prevention and symptoms can be found on the main page of our website. For your convenience, I have provided them here: Information on malaria prevention Information on malaria symptoms and causes As for malaria … [Read more...]
Which Anti Malarial for South-East Asia?
QUESTION We are in our 70s and will be on a cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh. Which anti malarial would be most effective for these areas? ANSWER The main thing to consider when travelling to south-east Asia is that there are areas where some of the malaria is resistant to mefloquine (commonly sold as Lariam), and therefore this drug is not appropriate as an anti-malarial in these … [Read more...]
Recurrent Malaria
QUESTION Malaria has been with me since the late 1980's after 6 years in Malawi. During the 90's I had it twice per year in Feb and Sept. Blood tests always came up negative. Treatment was with Chloroquine, later Halafantrin and then Co Artem. 2 or 3 treatments were required as symptoms appeared 2 weeks after completion of initial treatment. In 2004 I treated with a bodyweight specific dose … [Read more...]
Medicines to Prevent Malaria?
QUESTION Which medicines are used to prevent malaria? ANSWER There are a number of drugs used to prevent malaria infection, known as malaria prophylactic medication. These vary in terms of how they are taken, how long they are taken for, how much they cost and the typical side effects people experience while they are taking them. In addition, some are recommended more highly for certain … [Read more...]
Anti-Malarial Tablets for Kenya
QUESTION Which are the best tablets to take against malaria in Kenya? Is there a malaria vaccination? ANSWER I'll answer your second question first—no, there does not yet exist a commercially available malaria vaccine. Currently, one promising vaccine candidate is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in children in sub-Saharan Africa; recently published preliminary findings suggest … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment Time and Hiccups
QUESTION I am suffering from pf malaria with enlarged liver and spleen under the treatment from last one week and the abdominal pain has subsided. But I am experiencing hiccups. How long it will take for complete recovery? ANSWER It is a good sign that you are already feeling better following your treatment for malaria. Interestingly, hiccups have been linked to infections with parasites, … [Read more...]
Malaria prophylaxis
QUESTION: What name brand medicine should you take if you are traveling to area where malaria is present? ANSWER: That depends on a few factors, such as where exactly you are going, whether you have had bad experiences with any malaria preventative drugs (prophylactics) in the past, and how much money you want to spend! Common brand names of malaria prophylactic drugs include Lariam … [Read more...]