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Thank you for your post, Blackmamba. Some of the antimalarials are contra-indicated, or should be used with caution, in people who have epilepsy, but I have never heard that antimalarials can cause epilepsy. I have pm'ed you, BM, so we could discuss this further.

I do not agree that most people should take their chances with malaria over the side-effects of the antimalarials. There are indeed some people where antimalarials should not be used, or used with calculated caution, but then a thorough assessment plus adequate alternative professional advice for them is essential; however, these people would constitute by far the minority of the population. Many times, the side-effects for the average person are transient or simply an annoyance rather than a reason to discontinue the drugs; if more severe, then there are often alternative drugs that can be attempted.

Malaria and its risks is not something that people should take lightly or be complacent about! The Falciparum strain of malaria that is prevalent in most of Africa (and many other countries of the world too) can be lethal if not diagnosed early enough and treated aggressively with the correct regimens. The reason that people mostly die from Falciparum malaria is because it moves into the brain - called cerebral malaria - and at that stage it is a very serious disease.

The correct principles to follow are to consult knowledgeable medical professionals and to weigh up the risks of contracting malaria in a particular area at a certain time of the year versus the potential (or actual) side-effects of taking antimalarial drugs. Then, taking into account other significant factors, including diseases that the person may have, a thorough recommendation as to which antimalarial to use should be made. As mentioned earlier, for those where it is felt that antimalarials should not be taken, the risks of entering the malarial area must be comprehensively explained and all preventative measures put into place so that the risk is minimised. Of course, in some circumstances, it may be appropriate not to enter the malarial area in the first place.

Malaria is no joke; never underestimate the damage it can do!


Disclaimer: My recommendations here - though based on some experience and some drug, and other, knowledge - are not absolute, and further consultation with suitable health-care professionals is suggested before a final decision is taken on whether to enter a malarial area, what prophylaxis to use, and any general factors and limitations that need to be taken into account. Furthermore, I only advise based on what information is given by the person(s) entering the malarial area, but I have no control on the information given to me, and so such information could possibly be incomplete or misleading. Moreover, people vary subjectively as to how they metabolise, and react to, drugs and other substances, which further accentuates that my suggestions here are only general suggestions, and therefore not to be taken as pertaining to every person alike.

Hi Bert You are correct in that you should use a fan to keep mozzies away.

You exhale carbon dioxide when breathing and they can accurately locate the source of this CO2 from an astonishing distance. I read about an experiment where they used dry ice as a source of CO3 and they claimed that it attracted Mozzies from 50-60 metres!
When you use a fan you disperse the CO2 in the air and there is no fixed location for the source.

Me and My wife went to Krugers when she was 7 months Pregnant.. and when our kid was 3 months old and again when she was 7 months old..we had wonderful time..

we stayed in Lower Sabie/Oliphants/Satara camps...

my advise is cover the babies legs hands.. and use mosquito repellents..citronella oil.. avoid taking baby out of the chalet in the evenings...

I have to agree with OWN it is not worth taking the risk. It could be one that you may regret in later years. Give the matter your most careful consideration.

Blackmamba -

here is good advice: next time get yourself and the kids Doxytabs - a very mild antibiotic. Drink it after meals and NO side effects. We took these tablets for the last 4 visits to Kruger and can really recommend it. Melanil (I think) is also a very good tablet, but very expensive.

Leana

Kruger: May 2013

Add to that that Malaria is getting more and more resistent against the complete! arsenal of anti-malarials, and you come to the last line I quoted, go to the doctor! Or at least a doctor that knows malaria, and has your medical file at hand. Only that combination can give you the right advice.

Leana,

Antibiotics will not prevent or treat malaria. OWN will no doubt come here and explain in depth, however, from the World Health Organisation, "Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells".

That is why according to the WHO, one bite from a malaria carrying mosquito can cause malaria.

You were just lucky when you visited The Kruger and no doubt used repellents.

Hi there missings.a.!

Thanks for your reply. Maybe I confused you by using the "common" word, Doxytabs, but I meant the well-known malaria prophylactic, DOXYCYCLENE. I quote from the webpage, http://www.ecotravel.co.za :

Anti-malaria tablets (prophylactic)
There are a number of different types of anti-malaria tablets available. Choosing one depends both upon the particular area being visited, and the traveller's own medical history. Within south Africa's borders, SAA netcare travel clinics recommend either mefloquine (mefliam) or doxycycline as being the most effective anti-malaria tablets. Both of these drugs require a prescription.

Doxycycline is taken in an adult dosage of 100mg per day, starting a day or two before entering a malarious area. Like mefloquine (mefliam) it should be taken for four weeks after return. The drug should be taken after a meal, and washed down with plenty of liquid. It should be avoided in pregnancy and children.


Another webpage stated that it should not be taken by children under the age of 8. The tablets must be prescribed by a doctor.

I used Mefliam twice and was as sick as a dog afterwards - fortunately not during the visit, but in the weeks after. Both times I felt like being poisoned until I stopped after 3 weeks and the symptoms disappeared. After that I used the new tablet, MELANIL, which works wonderful, but at that time it was around R80 per tablet and my medical aid does not cover it, so - for the last 4 visits I decided to try DOXYCYCLENE and with great success I use probiflora tablets with the Doxy's as with any other antibiotics.

With it I use repellents, not only at night, but also during daytime. Also burn some citronella candles at night while sitting outside.

Leana

Leana,

I apologise as I took it as "Doxytabs".

The malaria thread is something I pay attention to, as it really worries me that someone reading this forum, (or their young child, might contract malaria.

Having visited many reserves myself, I have always taken anti malarials with no side effects. Perhaps I was lucky too.

Missing

I am going to Kruger in 9 days and am not taking anti-malarials as have had side-effects with 2 of the main brands during trips to India. Am I being stupid? My doctor says Kruger is low risk in winter and the advice is to use sprays at this time of year. From September the official advice changes to anti-malarials apparently?

Graham ...

you will likely receive many different opinions It is a touchy subject for some who have had family members suffer from malaria ...

I dare say you will be fine. before the sun goes down, put on repellent. And before you get out of your bungalow or tent in the early morning hours, put on repellent. The malaria giving mozzies bite before sunrise and before the sun goes down

Hi there Graham

WOW - how I wish I can go to Kruger in 9 days

I cannot say that you are stupid and as you said, the malaria tablets are not very user friendly

But if you are not sure, read about the tablet MALARONE (in SA it is called MELANIL) that I talked about.

I am too scared for that mozzie not to take precaution.

Leana ENJOY Kruger.

Thanks for the tips. I couldn't keep Malarone down on first trip to India and Doxycycline disrupted my sleep massively - and I am no sissie! I woke up in sweats every hour or so..

My GP is adamant that we don't need Malaria tablets though in August - he says he didn't even tell his daughter to get them when she went to Kruger two summers ago..

My main concern is the LSTTU Lower Sabie tent as that is near water. Our BBD2V at Olifants will hopefully be far enough away from the river.. We have DEET 50% repellents and something to plug in when we are asleep. When I do the braai at sunset that is the time I will be worried!

The general message often is - take no risks! Take absolutely nothing for granted because the second you do, that's when things go wrong.

Take the necessary precautions and you will have a really enjoyable and, most importantly, safe trip.

I remember very nearly refusing rabies jabs before I went to Nepal - injections to the stomach are never pleasant. Grudgingly I accepted the advice of the GP and, wouldn't you know it, I was bitten by a monkey in Kathmandu. I'll never know if that rabies shot made a difference bt I'm sure glad I took it.

Follow the advice of professionals, that's what they're there for.

http://www.malaria.org.za/Malaria_Risk/ ... k_maps.htm

According to this map anti-malarials are recommended from September to May in Kruger? Presumably not in August then as my doctor told me..

I lived in Bangkok as a child and travelled all over that country and got bitten many times - I wouldn't be surprised if I have already had the wretched disease!!