Malaria Prevention
 

My brother, who is with World, is being told to take Malarone a day prior to entering any African country and the whole time in country, and continue for seven days after the trip. When I was at Atlas going to Nairobi and Lagos I never took malaria meds and never noticed a mosquito problem... I was inside at night anyway.

Isn't this very dangerous for him to take. Especially considering his doctor is telling to do this regiment every time he goes through there....every month.

Any thoughts from others would be appreciated.

I took Malarone in Botswana last year and didn't notice any ill effects or mosquitoes for that matter. Malarone is probably the best anti malarial right now but is also very toxic. I won't take it again. I think wearing long pants, using a spray and staying inside at sunset is probably just as good as taking Malarone.
On a side note, my safari guide in Botswana had lived and worked in Africa his whole life and never had malaria. A little common sense goes a long way.

I agree. I hung at the pool all day and went in at night. Never noticed a bite.

You're more likely to encounter Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. I got it once and ended up getting hospitalized. I was on a common prophylaxis known as Lariam. It's side effects include hair loss, anxiety and nightmares after pro-longed use (I took it for a year). In order for those kinds of drugs to be affective, you usually have to start taking it a couple weeks before you go. If you're only going to be there for an over-night you're best off just wearing long sleeve shirts, Deat or just staying in doors. Random note: you can tell if a female mosquito is carrying the malaria virus if their back legs are sticking straight up in the air... no joke!

I was in sub-saharan Africa recently, and was prescribed Malarone. The stuff didn't agree with me. I had really bad anxiety, nightmares, shaky hands, etc (apparently this happens to about 10% of people). As soon as I stopped taking it, the symptoms stopped. I didn't take it for the duration of vacation (about 10 days), and I didn't have any problems despite being bitten several times. If I go again, I'll just use the bug spray and take my chances. Just my 2 cents.

I'm just finishing up my Malarone course with no ill effects. Started two days before I went to Africa. I keep hearing people talk about toxicity, but all the info I've looked up I haven't been able to find anything credible on that. It certainly can have some adverse side effects in some people - in that regard I'm lucky. Does anyone have any links to any good info on it's supposed toxicity? I'd really like to find them if they are out there. Thanks

Right now I'm as concerned about using the DEET (though I'm not going to stop that) with regard to negative effects.

PS - Note: the Aquovatone (in Malarone) is rather insoluble in water - for the drug to be effective, you need to take it with a meal or milk (something with lipids in it) to dissovle the drug and get it into your system.