| The most important thing we should stress is that | | | | these drugs are decreasing in their popularity and |
| we are not doctors and it is therefore vital that | | | | less and less people are taking them. |
| you speak to your doctor about Malaria | | | | Mefloquine ( Larium) : For many years Larium has |
| prevention before travelling to a malaria area. The | | | | taken a bit of beating. It is a very effective |
| following information is not intended to replace | | | | Malaria Prophylactic but it needs to be carefully |
| that issued by your doctor. Lots of travellers | | | | dispensed as patients with a history of psychiatric |
| travel to Africa every year and with careful use | | | | disturbances can get unpleasant side effects. |
| of prophylactic drugs are able to enjoy a great | | | | Malarone : This prophylactic has virtually no side |
| holiday. This document is written to provide you | | | | effects and with a simple daily dose it is becoming |
| with information rather than to put you off! | | | | increasingly more popular choice for travellers. In |
| Prevention and Treatment of Malaria | | | | addition, Malarone has now been launched in the |
| Rule One : Avoid Getting Bitten | | | | UK in a children's formulation and is the first ever |
| Rule number one of Malaria prevention is that if | | | | malaria tablet designed just for kids. It is also |
| you don’t get bitten you won’t get | | | | licensed in the USA, Denmark and is becoming |
| malaria. Unfortunately the female Anopheles | | | | increasingly available in Europe. The children’s |
| Mosquito that transmits malaria is a silent little | | | | version is chewable once daily dosage that only |
| mossy and doesn’t buzz to warn you of its | | | | needs to be started one day before travel |
| presence. Mosquitoes can bite at any time of day, | | | | commences. |
| but are usually their most active at dawn and | | | | This is the Prophylactic that we recommend – |
| dusk. Use the repellent sprays and wear | | | | but would urge you check your personal suitability |
| long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in the | | | | with your doctor prior to travel. |
| mornings and evenings. The mosquitoes can bite | | | | Doxycycline : This is an antibiotic and for many |
| through thin clothing and it is therefore important | | | | people it provides a perfectly good alternative to |
| to spray Insect Repellant on covered skin as well | | | | taking the traditional anti malaria tablets. However, |
| as non covered skin. | | | | Doxycycline can make you particularly sensitive to |
| Most of the lodges have screened windows and | | | | sun, and the effects of antibiotics on |
| doors, mosquito nets, air conditioning and fans. | | | | contraception tablets are well documented. Be |
| These all help you to prevent you getting bitten, | | | | warned … travellers may return from their |
| but should not be the used on their own. | | | | holiday with more than a sun tan! |
| Rule Two : Taking Anti Malaria Tablets | | | | Garlic, Vitamin B, Chilli : These are all old wives tails |
| It should be noted that no Malaria Prophylactic is | | | | and should definitely not be used as a prevention |
| 100% effective as the Malaria parasites becomes | | | | for Malaria! |
| resistant to the various drugs. It is therefore vital | | | | Rule 3: Look out for symptoms and complete |
| that you speak to your doctor or travel clinic to | | | | your course of prophylactics! |
| advise you on the best prophylactic for you. | | | | If on your return or during the remainder of your |
| Travellers should remember to take the tablets | | | | trip, you experience any flu like symptoms |
| regularly and continue to take the prescribed | | | | (nausea & vomiting, chills, fever, sweating, |
| dosage of tablets even after they have left the | | | | headache or muscle pain) you should have a |
| Malaria Area. | | | | malaria test just to be safe. Malaria responds well |
| Chloroquine, Proguanil and Maloprim : Malaria in | | | | to early treatment. Remember to complete your |
| certain parts of Africa ( north of South Africa ) | | | | prophylactic course - even after leaving a malaria |
| have become Chloroquine resistant and therefore | | | | area. |