QUESTION Hi, I am in Goa and so far have not been bitten by anything. I am taking anti malaria tablets which I do not like. My question is this. If I do not receive any bites do I need to complete the course when I get home? ANSWER It is always better to complete the course of anti-malarials, just in case you actually did get bitten but just did not notice it. However, in some cases, the … [Read more...]
Do malarial drugs engender joint pains?
QUESTION I am now over 50 and I lived all my life in Africa during which time I have had a considerable incidences of malarial attacks. Each time I took any anti-malarial drug I experienced some side-effects including blurred vision, fatigue and joint pains. The pains especially have since become a permanent part of me and even severe enough to hamper my mobility. Does my condition sound to … [Read more...]
vomiting
QUESTION Is it normal to be vomiting after taking malaria tablets? ANSWER Side effects are generally rare with most malaria medication, though vomiting is one of the more common side effects that have been reported. We at MALARIA.com are very interested in hearing about people's experiences with malaria medication, so please take our malaria survey. Many thanks for your time! … [Read more...]
Lasting Headaches and Malaria
QUESTION I had malaria in July of 2011, returned to the U.S. in August, and had an occurrence of P. falciparum a little more than a month later. It was quickly treated, but I continue to get headaches. They occur about daily, and exercise induces a very severe headache. Is this a common lasting symptom of malaria? ANSWER Once successfully treated, malaria almost never has recurring or … [Read more...]
Joint Pain and Malaria
QUESTION Could an onset of joint pain and swelling plus hurting all over be a residual for someone who has had malaria? ANSWER Once someone has been treated for malaria, they should not experience any further residual effects, particularly if the infection was uncomplicated and treated using oral medication. Joint pain, swelling and pain could well be indications of another infection, and … [Read more...]
Lariam Side Effects
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...]
Quinine Side Effects
QUESTION What are the side effects of quinine? ANSWER The main side effect of quinine, in therapeutic doses, is cinchonism or quinism. This is a condition associated with a number of symptoms, including flushed/sweaty skin, tinnitus, confusion, headaches, and more. Mild cinchonism should not be a reason to cease treatment with quinine, however. If injected into a nerve, quinine can … [Read more...]
Malaria Medication Side Effects
QUESTION My mother is an old patient of arthritis. She has also had a long stint with asthma and tuberculosis. She has presently been diagnosed with urine infection but was treated with malaria medicines artesunate and primaquine phosphate. What side effects could she possibly develop by wrong administration of malaria medicines? ANSWER Luckily there are few major side effects associated … [Read more...]
Side Effects of Treatment
QUESTION What are the probable side effects / reaction of "Artemether with Lumefantrine" to a 4.5 years, 5ml syrup, 2 doses - 0 & 8 hours? ANSWER Artermeter with Lumefantrine is often sold under the brand name "Coartem" and is widely distributed in areas of high P. falciparum prevalence, and particularly where known resistance to chloroquine occurs. Coartem is also the drug of … [Read more...]