[QUOTE=Baradium;2507529]If you could just refuse then how would they get anyone to ever cover the trip? As mentioned above it's considered adequate to simply start taking the medicine as soon as you're aware of the assignment for protection if you don't have the day prior notice to star taking it.




I went to the funeral of a pilot that died of complications from malaria 4 or 5 years ago. I agree if I go to a malaria destination I take the medicine.

Guess I am grasping at straws looking for more info on this subject. I must be mistaken that there were extenuating circumstances that the company had already agreed to.

 

[QUOTE=IPAs;2507549]The company has agreed to cover open time to Malaria destinations 2 days prior if the trip is known at that time. Inside 2 days it should be covered as soon as it’s known. Many of our South American destinations also are in Malaria areas. The vast majority of employees who have contracted malaria did not follow any of the recommendations for prevention. Drunk at the pool at sunset is not smart!
It’s also far more important to take the Malarone if you are going to use it for the required time period after you return than when you start it. Stopping early can suppress a malaria case only to have it pop up a year later and you may not seek treatment promptly thinking it can’t be Malaria.

Common side effects of Malarone include:

nausea,
vomiting,
abdominal pain,
upset stomach,
headache,
diarrhea,
weakness,
loss of appetite,
itching, and
dizziness.
Tell your doctor if you have rare but very serious side effects of Malarone including:

signs of serious liver problems (such as persistent or severe nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, unexplained tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes or skin),
signs of anemia (such as worsening tiredness, rapid breathing, pale skin/lips/nails, fast heartbeat while resting), or
signs of severe infection (such as high fever, severe chills, body aches, sore throat).
Dose is one Malarone Tablet (adult strength = 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil hydrochloride) per day. The dosage for prevention of malaria in pediatric patients is based upon body weight. For malaria prevention, take 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Take it every day during your stay and for at least 7 days after you leave. To treat malaria, take Malarone 3 days in a row.

 

The history on this is dubious on the part of delta and alpa.

We started service into these high risk theaters with delta offering no guidence other than a yf shot.

And absolutely zero support or reimbursement.

It took some crewmembers paying a high price to wake up mgmt and our cba to their grossly negligent policy.

We now have the malarone and cipro Rx issue and reimbursement. For very good reason.

Prior to delta and alpa getting their act in order i took the best expert medical advice i could find. $700+ in shots, including a hep series. And malarone.

If you dont take it and are infected its going to be a difficult explaination. Malaria strains range from horrible to fatal in short order.

And malaria is not the only viable threat. If you fly in high risk theaters get some expert advice on how you should protect your health. This is probably not where you should be getting that advice.

 

You nailed it. Malaria still kills millions, not taking Malerone is stupid, unless you're only flying Africa. You can't take it as a prophylactic. I know the guys who died and survived, we need extra life insurance and medical riders.

 

Gee. If only other airlines had decades of experience flying to Africa that we could have data-mined.


PS: There is no way in hell I'd fly to Africa without malarone.

 

It wasnt just airlines. The military, governmental, private businesses and charitble agencies all had/have reasonable protocals for protecting personnel entering these theaters.

I can expect the negligence on the part of mgmt. What i did not excuse was the complete ignorance and negligence on the part of our cba reps.

Made even more difficult was the reality at the time most had military backgrounds with knowledge of and perhaps experience with the threats and precautions prudent for operating in these theaters.

 

Whoops! Yes, 23.I.9--sorry, not sure how I made that typo.


Aside: wow, how short has the edit window gotten?? Less than 24 hours, but I can't go fix my post?

 

It looks as if I’m going to have to go on high blood pressure medicine soon, my medical is in June. Does anyone have advice on things I need to do approaching my medical?
Thanks

 

Call and talk with ALPA medical in Denver. It’s free and talking to them first can keep you working or get you back to work faster.

 

2nd on that. Aeromedical. If not already explored i would offer a lo sodium lo carb lifestyle menu change as a possible non pharma strategy.

It got me to target weight as desired by my doc...and as a bonus significantly lowered my bp.