Cerebral malaria!!

[Stan Weakley]

Blomco, nothing is impossible with medication. Relevant perhaps is that women can even fall pregnant on the pill.

Poor absorption of the tablet is one possible reason, make sure you take the pills as prescribed, I think Numal on a full stomach, read the instructions. Try to take them at the same time of day. If you develop diarrhea or vomiting you may not absorb the full dose etc and may need to take an extra dose immediately.


You still need to take precautions against mosquito bites as described above, this is very important. The effectiveness of Numal is in the high 90% and one cannot really ask for me than this.

[BlomCo]

Blomco, nothing is impossible with medication. Relevant perhaps is that women can even fall pregnant on the pill.

Poor absorption of the tablet is one possible reason, make sure you take the pills as prescribed, I think Numal on a full stomach, read the instructions. Try to take them at the same time of day. If you develop diarrhea or vomiting you may not absorb the full dose etc and may need to take an extra dose immediately.


You still need to take precautions against mosquito bites as described above, this is very important. The effectiveness of Numal is in the high 90% and one cannot really ask for me than this.

Thank you very much Stan. WhaT PILL?

[jlo]

Hi Guys,
Do you know whether this area is regarded as Malaria prone. we are going at a bad time it would seem, Jan 16-26 2015. What precautionary tablets/ medication do you recommend? I don't see updated posts on the subject, hence these questions. Comments welcome.

[Stan Weakley]

Tofo is definitely a malaria area, especially in the summer months. It is not good practice to prescribe medications on the internet as there are various factors influencing the choice of the best prophylactic for each individual patient. I suggest you and your family/friends see your GP or a doctor at your nearest travel clinic. The prophylactics all require a prescription.

It is also very important to take the recommended precautions to lessen the chances of mosquito bites. Peaceful sleep, long sleeves and long trousers in the evenings, mosquito coils etc etc.

[jlo]

Hi Stan,
Many thanks for your professional advice, we will certainly visit our GP well before leaving for Moz.

[FMaartens]

Hi Guys,just a quick heads up. I recently analyzed the malaria case data for Maputo province that consists of 8x districts and malaria cases have significantly increased in 6 out of the 8 districts since 2012 so take precautions!

[Zapiture]

How Malaria In The Brain Kills: Doctors Solve A Medical Mystery

Malaria is one of the oldest scourges of mankind. Yet it's been a mystery how the deadliest form of the disease kills children.

One doctor in Michigan has dedicated her life to figuring that out. Now she and her team report their findings in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The key to solving the mystery was looking inside the brain.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsod...edical-mystery

[ngweshla]

Scientists find key to malaria
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34808267
Dr Magali Roques, lead author of the study, said the research "will definitely further our understanding of parasite cell division, which I hope will lead to the elimination of this disease in the future."

[Hummerrecoveryspecialist]

Thirty odd years ago I contracted malaria in Lamu but for the grace of the Kenya flying Doctor service go I .
There's one issue I remain confused about. Some strains are recurrent I was told but in my case it was a strain once off and I've not had malaria recur since
Can we get clarification on whether this is myth or fact that malaria can recur in some strains even if a oerson is nowhere near a malaria region?

Secondly I am extremely wary of any drug that may invoke ototoxic reaction
As I had mumps in childhood which deafened me to profound loss but on a 2007 trip to Inhaca I took Doxy for a couple of weeks and perhaps overdid the cans of peaceful sleep as they piled up like used cigarette butts but on my return I noticed a mild but. Noticeable further hearing loss then about a month later after the doxy was complete my hearing deteriorated to the point I became a cochlear implant candidate with Mri showing inflammatory process on both auditory nerves. That loss was followed by six months of unbearable tinnitus that I felt like phoning Dignitas.

I know recent studies show no ototoxic risk with Malerone and Coartem but don't get treated with quinine or in combination as studies show ototoxity. I am trying to establish if peaceful sleep ingredients are ototoxic when used frequently and liberally or in combination with doxy or if it was doxy alone but back in 2007 Malerone was prohibitively expensive from netcare travel clinics for locals so really there was only Doxy or Lariam (which is now rather controversial after the gulf war soldiers returned home with a range of psychiatric symptoms allegedly linked to Lariam but it's still prescribed in sa for young children with no ill effects I am aware of).
Maybe. Just. Maybe there is no link . I'm no virologist but was advised that mumps can reactivate spontaneously without visible symptoms decades later .
Or maybe there is ototoxic ingredients in some anti malarial products .
If you think about it peaceful sleep is basically like a paint stripper God forbid you get it on a plastic surface like a cellphone screen . I can't imagine what it does to the body but I'd sure like to know more.

[ngweshla]

http://www.malaria.com/questions/rec...a-aches-fatigu

have a look here and your answere yes, recurring malaria can happen

[dirtshark]

For info: http://www.ufsfamilymedicine.com/upl...15_28may15.pdf

[Pietsweis]

http://www.malaria.com/questions/rec...a-aches-fatigu

have a look here and your answere yes, recurring malaria can happen

I agree. I have had recurring malaria. Got it in Mozambique while on work assignment. Left and got it again 6 months later, again after 3 months, then 2 months later and the last time just a month after the last time.
Eventually killed it with primaquine which is prescribed for recurring cases.

Stayed clean for 10 years after that.

[dirtshark]

I see on Sky News that the British Army is re thinking the use of Larium.............could be in for some serious claims.......

[dangermouse]

We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children (13,10,3) traveling to northern Botswana/Namibia/Vic Falls in June for 6 months. We went to a overseas travel clinic and were told/given the following info. Can someone pls confirm if correct?
1) There is zero chance of Malaria until rains fall in Nov/Dec ?;
2) Both adults and 13yr given Doxycycline 100mg, 10yr given Doxycycline 50mg, 3yr given Malarone Junior (62.5/25). Are these considered the best medications?
3) What are the best preventative options for kids (bar not going!).
Thanks for you advice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lekhubu943]

Point 1: I call that BS. Just for that advise I will find another clinic. Large parts of Zambia is under water in June as well as the Delta where the flood peaks in July. Namibia will be dry but you only need one bite from the wrong mozzie

Point 2: Not a doctor so will not comment.

Point 3: Best is anti-malarials, Tabbard at night and mornings as well as long sleeves and pants at those times.

[Stan Weakley]

We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children (13,10,3) traveling to northern Botswana/Namibia/Vic Falls in June for 6 months. We went to a overseas travel clinic and were told/given the following info. Can someone pls confirm if correct?
1) There is zero chance of Malaria until rains fall in Nov/Dec ?; This is not true, the risk is lower out of the rainy season but especially northern Botswana and Vic Falls have appreciable risk year round. If they feel there is no risk why did they advise prophylaxis?
2) Both adults and 13yr given Doxycycline 100mg, 10yr given Doxycycline 50mg, 3yr given Malarone Junior (62.5/25). Are these considered the best medications? Doxycycline is fine for adults but not in children with immature teeth. I would definitely advise another opinion. Malarone is good for the 3 year old.
3) What are the best preventative options for kids (bar not going!). Decent prophylaxis and avoidance of mosquito bites. These usually occur when the sun sinks. Apply mosquito repellant to the exposed parts of the body and cover up. Socks, shoes, long trousers and long sleeve shirts when outside in the evenings, night and mornings especially. Sleep under mosquito nets in those areas.
Thanks for you advice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The advice given by this travel clinic is very unimpressive if you understood them correctly. It would probably be safest if you sought another opinion. I would prefer myself and my children especially to be on Malarone. Doxycycline in adults is perfectly acceptable although it makes some people very sensitive to sunburn.

[dangermouse]

Wow I am glad i asked the Q's! So is Numal the no-name brand of Malarone but 1/2 the price? Are all suitable to be taken for 6 months? Thanks again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dangermouse]

One more thing - I guess Kasane is a risk area... but what about Maun? Stan - they provided 3 months supply in case we were still in the area Nov/Dec/Jan. Had not heard anything about teeth issues in 10yr old with Doxy! Thanks so much


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stan Weakley]

Unfortunately Numal is off the market again I think. The generic Mozitec is available in South Africa and is cheaper than Malanil.
Did you go to the local British Travel Clinic in East London? If so go back to them to discuss the issue of a 10 year old, Doxycycline and teeth.
Maun is also a risk in June but not nearly as bad as further north. I would revisit them again for a more detailed discussion. If you only saw the nursing sister there perhaps ask to see the doctor and mention my name if need be.

[dirtshark]

Unfortunately Numal is off the market again I think. The generic Mozitec is available in South Africa and is cheaper than Malanil.
Did you go to the local British Travel Clinic in East London? If so go back to them to discuss the issue of a 10 year old, Doxycycline and teeth.
Maun is also a risk in June but not nearly as bad as further north. I would revisit them again for a more detailed discussion. If you only saw the nursing sister there perhaps ask to see the doctor and mention my name if need be.

R279 at Dischem, for a week.