Malaria

**Johan Barnard** · 2007/01/22, 08:09 AM

Hi all

Do we need to worry about malaria in Swaziland ?

Jumbo

**JohnLandy** · 2007/01/24, 07:21 AM

Jumbo

Have not been there yet, but I'm going for four days beginning February.
The country is devided in three regions vertically(so to speak) .
The western side is the highveld, middleveld in the centre and lowveld in the east (Moz side)

The eastern side definitely has malaria, and it is said that the western side doesn't, and the middleveld is anybody's guess.

If you are planning on visiting all the regions, better be safe than sorry.

I'll give some feedback after the visit.

**RichardS** · 2007/01/24, 01:16 PM

Hi Jumbo,

Try the MARA maps at http://www.mara.org.za/

Cheers

Richard

**Imvubu** · 2007/08/27, 04:58 PM

Having looked at the MARA maps I see that malaria is pretty much endemic to most of Swaziland. My son and I will be visiting Swaziland towards the end of September. Does anyone have any advice regarding malaria medication? I will probably not take anything, but what can Jonathan (7 years old) take?

**BigRed** · 2007/08/27, 05:27 PM

I'd worry about Malaria any where in the world, not just in Swaziland

Seriously now: Just know what the symptoms are so that you can tell the doc when you get sick what is might be.

Common symptoms: Note these may vary too
*fever
*hot & cold flushes
*sore joints
*headaches
*general weakness
all of the above just as a good old flu, just add a bit of diarrhea and you possibly will have it.

Remember, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE....

EDIT: I'm no doctor either, take my advice at face value

**Biggles** · 2007/08/27, 06:05 PM

I have lived and worked in some of the worst malaria area for 6 years now and agree that prevention is better than cure.

Prophalactics do not always work and when they don't they make things worse as they mask the symptoms until you have heaps of bugs inside you.

First get a net (treated)
If you have power where you are use a plug in type fume insececide/ repellant. These work like a bomb... Otherwise burn coils (I hate those things). If in a tent then try spraying the mesh, I used to do that and not sure how much it helped or damaged the tent.

Long trousers, long sleeved, collared shirt and tabard just before sunset.

Symptons are:
loss of energy (if you get treatment at this point you can skip all the nasty fevers), lithargy
Aching
Fever (this comes and goes) you can feel better in the middle of having malaria. It comes back...
Skin may hurt unusually.
Headaches (at the back of the head I noticed)
vomiting, the sh&ts and passing out (or all three at once) (my friends found that amusing)

**Bongani** · 2007/08/27, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Biggles

Prophalactics do not always work and when they don't they make things worse as they mask the symptoms until you have heaps of bugs inside you.

Fact or urban legend?

**Henris** · 2007/08/27, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Bongani

Fact or urban legend?

Johan Saayman was in Tanzania about 5 months ago. Took his tablets "incorrectly".

He died 4 months ago. Was the owner of HiQ in Musina.

You decide if it is fact or urban ledgend.

**Bongani** · 2007/08/27, 07:17 PM

HenriS

I don't understand?

How does taking tablets incorrectly related to my question if it is a fact or legend that Prophalactics masks the symptoms of Malaria?

**Henris** · 2007/08/27, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bongani

HenriS

I don't understand?

How does taking tablets incorrectly related to my question if it is a fact or legend that Prophalactics masks the symptoms of Malaria?

The symptoms were masked. Doctors couldn't diagnose precicely.

**Dirk** · 2007/08/27, 07:28 PM

But surely if you were in a malaria area they should not try and diagnose but rather test straight away.

**Dirk** · 2007/08/27, 07:34 PM

This is a very dangerous subject, personally I do not believe in not taking medication with the reason that it might mask your symptoms, but each to his own, after all, it's your life.

All I want to say, if you are going to move into a Malaria infected area do you homework, remember hearsay means nothing. Speak to people in the business, and who know the subject. (Join the Overland mailing list, there are several members there both professionally trained, and well education in the matter.)

For more information read here
http://www.overland.co.za/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=7

**Bongani** · 2007/08/27, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by henris

The symptoms were masked. Doctors couldn't diagnose precicely.

Get better doctors! Fact!

From "Laymans Guide to Malaria"
A dangerous infection my be present in pasients with a negative blood test, especially when they have taken inadequate prophylactic antimalarial drugs or have been treated with some antibactarial agents.

However a thick blood smear and a thin blodd smear can be done during peak fever periods that is effective to determine malaria and parasite. Furthermore it should be standard practise that should falciparum be suspected that immediate treatment should follow even without the blood results.

There is also the platelet and white cell counts as well as measururements f mamatocrit or haemoglobin, serum electrolytes and urea or creatinine. And do not forget the liver function tests.

**Dirk** · 2007/08/27, 08:03 PM

When visiting an area infected with Malaria I believe it is up to the travelling individuals to decide on their actions prior to the trip.

Unfortunately malaria is one of those subjects where you will receive many opposing opinions, and each opinion will seem entire valid to you.

When we prepared for our Botswana trip last year I did my own research, on the forum, I phoned numerous doctors and pharmacists, and collected enough information (which I believe) would enable me to make an informed decision.

In the end it is up to each person to decide on their own protective measure. Yes surely there are rights and wrongs, but unfortunately I don't believe the average traveller is equipped to make the correct decision.

Also always remember, that is it printed somewhere on the Internet does'nt make it fact, often very far from.

One of the tablets available (Mefliam I think) was known to cause severe side effects, specially in adult females. We decided on a two different medication sets for the kids and adults.

So in short, research and go prepared. On return, any funny symptoms don't play around but get tested.

**Dirk** · 2007/08/27, 08:03 PM

When visiting an area infected with Malaria I believe it is up to the travelling individuals to decide on their actions prior to the trip.

Unfortunately malaria is one of those subjects where you will receive many opposing opinions, and each opinion will seem entire valid to you.

When we prepared for our Botswana trip last year I did my own research, on the forum, I phoned numerous doctors and pharmacists, and collected enough information (which I believe) would enable me to make an informed decision.

In the end it is up to each person to decide on their own protective measure. Yes surely there are rights and wrongs, but unfortunately I don't believe the average traveller is equipped to make the correct decision.

Also always remember, that is it printed somewhere on the Internet does'nt make it fact, often very far from.

One of the tablets available (Mefliam I think) was known to cause severe side effects, specially in adult females. We decided on a two different medication sets for the kids and adults.

So in short, research and go prepared. On return, any funny symptoms don't play around but get tested.

**pretdave** · 2007/08/27, 08:03 PM

My R2 worth on the subject
I spent 2 years working in West Africa ( Ghana) and came down several times with malaria while taking anti malarial tablets.
I was tested at the company clinic at least a dozen times for malaria during that period ( went for a check up whenever I felt a bit rough)
In my opinion and the company medic and all the many authoritative publications I have seen on the subject , taking precautionary medication does not mask the symptoms and does not interfere with the tests. Malaria tablets prevent or at least slow the progression of malaria - the result is that when I did get it it was relatively mild and I was bedridden for no more than two days at a time . Without anti malaria tablets I would surely have been in serious trouble with a far more virulent bout of malaria . The company medic told me he had never seen a case of cerebral malaria or a malaria death in someone who was on correct anti malarial tablets . My advice is take the preventatives if you are going into a bad area - they will at worst buy time to get out and to professional help. Believe me that if malaria hits you with full force you will not be in a fit state to drive to safety - you will feel absolutely exhausted and b......d .

Regards
Dave Pretorius

**BigRed** · 2007/08/27, 09:12 PM

I for one wont take any other protective measures apart from longs and plenty of Peacefull sleep. I had a bicycle accicdent some 20 years ago and most of my spleen was removed. At that stage i was warned by doctors that anti malarial prothsthetics can (and will such cases like mine) mask the symptoms.

I agree that there are many schools of thought and advice, but I feel that one needs to do what one thinks is right for themselves.

**Bongani** · 2007/08/27, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dirk

One of the tablets available (Mefliam I think) was known to cause severe side effects

Yes, wicked nightmares.

There is an excellent publication on overlanding travel named after it, called "Malaria Dreams"

**SimonB** · 2007/08/27, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by BigRed

I for one wont take any other protective measures apart from longs and plenty of Peacefull sleep. I had a bicycle accicdent some 20 years ago and most of my spleen was removed. At that stage i was warned by doctors that anti malarial prothsthetics can (and will such cases like mine) mask the symptoms.

I agree that there are many schools of thought and advice, but I feel that one needs to do what one thinks is right for themselves.

I go with Kai here... except he means a prophylactic, and not prosthetics - artificial body parts are not much help for malaria!!!

We never take any malaria prophylactics... Just wrap up properly and we've not had ANY problems...yet!

I do know of someone who had cerebral malaria that was misdiagnosed because of being dosed up to the eyeballs with Larium, and the doc thought he had "flu". He nearly died...

**Imvubu** · 2007/08/28, 08:13 AM

Seem to have opened a can of worms here

. Thanks all for your feedback.

As I said, I won't be taking the medication but am looking for a suitable prophylaxis for Jonathan (7 years). My doctor will prescribe something but I need to know if anyone can recommend any particular medication for kids (and what side effects you have experienced). I have accompanied school trips before where I had to deal with dozens of kids who were so sick from the medication that they couldn't do anything, let alone enjoy the trip.