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Will try it Okie

But after 3 mozzies I might need a transfusion.

We dont take malaria meds (the side-effects are too bad) but we will take artemisia (a natural anti-malaria drug). More importantly I will turn my family and myself into a walking DEET chemical warzone so that no mozzie will dare come near us.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17628172

Scientists have found new evidence that resistance to the front-line treatments for malaria is increasing.

They have confirmed that resistant strains of the malaria parasite on the border between Thailand and Burma, 500 miles (800km) away from previous sites.

Researchers say that the rise of resistance means the effort to eliminate malaria is "seriously compromised".

Hi there all. I am sure this has been asked a hundred times before, but I am not going to read 81 pages of this topic to find the answer ..............

I have been to Kruger often and have always taken precautions against being bitten and sometimes even malaria tablets (especially in summer). Now, with a trip coming up in the dead of winter (late June) I have a family row on my hands. I'll be taking my elderly parents and my kids to Kruger. Our GP has advised that we should not worry about malaria tablets for Kruger in the dead of winter, provided we take the necessary precautions against being bitten. Half the family is in agreement and the other half are probably blowing down my car types right now as an aftermath to the argument. Some solid advise would be greatly appreciated.................

I sympathise, I always have to fight my SO over malaria precautions as well.

I always say that you need to get your medical practitioner's opinion, looks like doing it has inflamed opinion. Get your parents to see their GP, everyone's medical history is different, malaria is not a one solution suits all, for example, my SO and I have to have different kinds.

I would say though that in the UK it would be difficult to get malaria tablets without a prescription from the GP. If mine said I didn't need them it would be difficult to get them.

Waterbuck, this is my own personal opinion. I do not think you stand much of a chance contracting malaria in the winter. We go to KNP so often, we never take meds. BUT!

You can try as hard as you like not to get bitten, there is always a small chance you will be bitten. It happens to me. Everytime.

If you are not visiting the park often, rather be safe than sorry. Get Malarone = least side effects imo and experience. You need a prescription and it is expensive.

There is nothing like returning from KNP and worrying if you might have contracted malaria. Especially with kiddies. Save some sleepless nights

Personally, aside from people who may have serious side effects,jmo it is best for the rest of us to take the meds, unless people visit so often they have built up immunity.

We can always do a test run before the trip to see if the meds disagree, but really, malaria is no joke and it is so easy to be bitten. Even before or after a shower or swimming.

We are so fortunate that we have access to these prophylactics and there are millions who live in malaria areas who contract it every year and many die.

From the WHO website

I would assume that this would open this discussion to more comments, however, each person would have their own way at looking how important/serious Malaria is.



Last time i was there (1998), I started taking my meds 3 days before, once daily and 3 days after arrival back home.

I am sure a lot have said that Malaria if "non-permanent" residents is very high, but local nationals (Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria and places as such), still get Malaria and can become complicated cerebral malaria.

I know the other places are just a name, but they have the same problem, Mozzies and Malaria.

Within a week of arriving at his holiday spot, someone died in Mozambique (think it was Beira) when he started feeling flu like symptoms, went to the local facility, was given meds for flu. He started the usual further symptoms of malaria and by the time the medivac arrived the day after he got worse, he died just before getting on the aircraft (seriously, no lies) - The ironic part was, he didn't do the pre-treatment as he had been to mozambique every year and never contracted Malaria. (cannot remember if was in 2010 or 2011)


I wouldn't play around with Malaria at all. Regardless if winter, or summer. Prophylaxis is there for a reason, but just like any other precautionary measure, it is only 99% preventative (just like contraceptives).

I am not sure about kiddies, so seek medical advice like someone said, Netcare Travel Clinic etc would be a good place to starts as they deal with travellers regularly. I will see one as I am going next year with my neice and nephew, and they will be taking their Prophylaxis, else no trip.

There was recently a few cases reported in Pretoria with having malaria (most were non-related to each other). So, shows you, it can get you anywhere.

All is in my opinion, seen the stats, especially for South Africans travelling abroad where malaria is high (i.e Expats).