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Malaria is a preventable, life-threatening disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito when she is taking her blood meal and has Plasmodium parasites in her gut from previously biting an infected blood source. Most Anopheles are night-biters, but at least one species bites during cloudy days.
There are five types of malaria that affect humans: Plasmodium falciparum (which is responsible for the vast majority of malaria deaths), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. P. vivax and P. ovale can have recurring bouts.
Symptoms can vary from quite mild to complications such as cerebral malaria; about 1 million deaths per year occur globally from malaria. Some medications are used prophilactically / preventively, as well as to treat malaria, and it seems after time the Plasmodium parasite is able to develop resistance. The locations where certain mosquitoes inhabit and which form of malaria, plus resistances, can be researched prior to travel.
Best practices to prevent malaria include keeping limbs, etc. covered during mosquito-biting hours; sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets; using approved mosquito repellents (Picaridin or DEET topically and permethrin / Permanone, a persistent repellent applied to the surface of clothing, which persists through several washings).
* much less your health provider professionals or physicians
Some trustworthy resources include:
Link to some malaria basics from the Government of Canada
Link to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pages on malaria (treatment, prevention, etc.)
Link to US CDC malaria information for travelers
Link to IAMAT PDF extensive World Malaria risk Chart.
Link to Public Health England pages on malaria
Link to US CDC information on malaria medications / prophylaxis
Malaria is a preventable, life-threatening disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito when she is taking her blood meal and has Plasmodium parasites in her gut from previously biting an infected blood source. Most Anopheles are night-biters, but at least one species bites during cloudy days.
There are five types of malaria that affect humans: Plasmodium falciparum (which is responsible for the vast majority of malaria deaths), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. P. vivax and P. ovale can have recurring bouts.
Symptoms can vary from quite mild to complications such as cerebral malaria; about 1 million deaths per year occur globally from malaria. Some medications are used prophilactically / preventively, as well as to treat malaria, and it seems after time the Plasmodium parasite is able to develop resistance. The locations where certain mosquitoes inhabit and which form of malaria, plus resistances, can be researched prior to travel.
Best practices to prevent malaria include keeping limbs, etc. covered during mosquito-biting hours; sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets; using approved mosquito repellents (Picaridin or DEET topically and permethrin / Permanone, a persistent repellent applied to the surface of clothing, which persists through several washings).
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FlyerTalk is not liable for any loss or damage caused by information obtained through our forums.
NEVER rely on information or opinions posted on FlyerTalk to replace the information that you receive from your frequent traveler programs*. While FlyerTalk is full of great information, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on the boards.
FlyerTalk is founded on the principles of support, empowerment, information and entertainment. Use good judgment when considering how to use information derived from the forums and consult representatives from the appropriate programs before doing anything that might affect your travel or put your miles and points at risk. Remember that what's right for one person may not be right for you.
FlyerTalk is not liable for any loss or damage caused by information obtained through our forums.
Some trustworthy resources include:
Link to some malaria basics from the Government of Canada
Link to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pages on malaria (treatment, prevention, etc.)
Link to US CDC malaria information for travelers
Link to IAMAT PDF extensive World Malaria risk Chart.
Link to Public Health England pages on malaria
Link to US CDC information on malaria medications / prophylaxis
Malaria meds, prevention, etc. (master thread)
Nov 29, 2010, 10:19 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2003
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There have been threads on this before and every time I marvel that anyone would seek medical advice on a travel forum. 
Surely a more relevant question for a travel forum such as this would be "where can I get independent, up-to-date, expert advice on malaria prophylaxis?".
Surely a more relevant question for a travel forum such as this would be "where can I get independent, up-to-date, expert advice on malaria prophylaxis?".My expert advice led to use of Malarone two years ago. It worked fine for me and had no side effects.
Nov 29, 2010, 11:44 am
#17
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Johan
Nov 29, 2010, 5:08 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2002
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...until you get that shivery feeling and your pee turns black. Then it gets complicated fast. And complicated in certain (er, most?) parts of Africa also means worse things are to come.
I'm happy to go with the complicated small rusty coloured pill once a day, safe in the knowledge that I have substantially reduced the chances of allowing a nasty paracite to swim around inside me for long. My sleeping net doesn't compicate my life either (unless I lose my drawing pin!). And I rather like the smell of DEET, though granted the smell of citronella and barbecue smoke is rather better.
I'm happy to go with the complicated small rusty coloured pill once a day, safe in the knowledge that I have substantially reduced the chances of allowing a nasty paracite to swim around inside me for long. My sleeping net doesn't compicate my life either (unless I lose my drawing pin!). And I rather like the smell of DEET, though granted the smell of citronella and barbecue smoke is rather better.
Nov 30, 2010, 5:12 am
#19
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We will have to agree to fundamentally disagree on this one.
Símple to me means not having to get a prescription; not having to pay for pills, not having to remember to take 'm; no side-effects, no DEET (pure poison, if you ask me); and just not worrying. Makes life so much more pleasant.
By the way, I've had malaria. Once in over 20 years. Acceptable risk, nothing I'm going to waste my time worrying about.
Johan
Símple to me means not having to get a prescription; not having to pay for pills, not having to remember to take 'm; no side-effects, no DEET (pure poison, if you ask me); and just not worrying. Makes life so much more pleasant.
By the way, I've had malaria. Once in over 20 years. Acceptable risk, nothing I'm going to waste my time worrying about.
Johan
Nov 30, 2010, 5:25 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Flying Blue, easyJet Plus (!)
Posts: 1,762
I used doxy for a trip to Vietnam - not noticed any side effects. Slight added bonus of it being an antibiotic as well is that it should (I guess) reduce the chance of you catching travellers' diarrhoea. Downside is that you have to take it for 4 weeks rather than 1 on return.
Neil
Neil
Dec 1, 2010, 2:25 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Malaga, Spain
Posts: 1,077
There have been threads on this before and every time I marvel that anyone would seek medical advice on a travel forum. Surely a more relevant question for a travel forum such as this would be "where can I get independent, up-to-date, expert advice on malaria prophylaxis?".
Surely a more relevant question for a travel forum such as this would be "where can I get independent, up-to-date, expert advice on malaria prophylaxis?".A more pragmatic Western viewpoint - suppose you get malaria and had not take precautions. Would your insurance company pay out for medical treatment and an air ambulance?
http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/malaria.htm
Dec 1, 2010, 1:04 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2000
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So brave and transcendental. Tell us, what is the sound of one hand clapping...? 
Simple to some people also means withholding vaccinations from their children so that the kiddies don't get autism; it's "simple" to them.
So lots of people have lots choices to make to "simplify" things.
I'm going to spend my time taking sensible precautions when I'm in a malaria zone. That includes mosquito repellant, slacks and long-sleeved shirts at dawn and dusk, and malarial prophylaxis. Oh, and by the way, doing this doesn't really complicate my life or make it less simple. It's as simple as looking both ways to cross the street. I've never had malaria, and I profoundly pity those who have (including several of my friends, all of whom still grapple with the effects of it, including 1 who got it over 30 years ago.
Malarone has worked well for me over the years, with few side effects.
Simple to some people also means withholding vaccinations from their children so that the kiddies don't get autism; it's "simple" to them.
So lots of people have lots choices to make to "simplify" things.I'm going to spend my time taking sensible precautions when I'm in a malaria zone. That includes mosquito repellant, slacks and long-sleeved shirts at dawn and dusk, and malarial prophylaxis. Oh, and by the way, doing this doesn't really complicate my life or make it less simple. It's as simple as looking both ways to cross the street. I've never had malaria, and I profoundly pity those who have (including several of my friends, all of whom still grapple with the effects of it, including 1 who got it over 30 years ago.
Malarone has worked well for me over the years, with few side effects.
Dec 2, 2010, 9:58 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2009
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For those relying only on advice from medical professionals should have a look here: # Training Needed for US Doctors Providing International Travel Advicecare providers and specialists in the United States indicates that travel medicine training is needed, particularly among those who see fewer ...
News, Medscape Medical News, November 2010
http://search.medscape.com/medscape-...ional%20travel
This is a decent and reliable place for information: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
News, Medscape Medical News, November 2010
http://search.medscape.com/medscape-...ional%20travel
This is a decent and reliable place for information: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
Dec 2, 2010, 10:59 am
#24
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Join Date: Oct 2000
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Really? Do you need to wear long-sleeved shirts and take Malarone to look both ways? 
I suppose I should pity all those people who spend their time worrying about all sorts of minor and miniscule risks, but I must confess I don't.
Never take counsel of your fears, life is just so much more fun if you don't waste it worrying.
I have the tremendous advantage of having squeezed through the eye of the proverbial needle four times by the smallest of margins. Experiences that dramatically change ones perspective of risk, fear and anxiety.
By the way, the vaccination withholding parents are hysterical hypochondriacs, if you ask me. The are doing it for the wrong reasons!
Johan
I suppose I should pity all those people who spend their time worrying about all sorts of minor and miniscule risks, but I must confess I don't.
Never take counsel of your fears, life is just so much more fun if you don't waste it worrying.
I have the tremendous advantage of having squeezed through the eye of the proverbial needle four times by the smallest of margins. Experiences that dramatically change ones perspective of risk, fear and anxiety.
By the way, the vaccination withholding parents are hysterical hypochondriacs, if you ask me. The are doing it for the wrong reasons!
Johan
Jan 10, 2011, 7:02 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
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This July, in South Africa (Garden Route) a physician prescribed mefloquinine to me and my 2 sons stating that in that area he had a lot of patients who go to Kruger Park etc and have had no problem with this drug. He cautioned us that if we developed side effects to walk into a pharmacy and the druggist would call him and a prescription for a different medication would be faxed.
Fortunately, there were no side effects so we stayed the course with the mefloquinine.
Last night I got another supply as I am flying south to Tanzania in a couple of weeks. This physician told ne to start taking the mefloquinine 2 weeks before I got into the malaria area, while the South African physician said to start 1 week before. Both insisted that I take the meds for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria area.
So far, so good - and I did not pay for the meds this time as a new insurance plan took care of it.
Fortunately, there were no side effects so we stayed the course with the mefloquinine.
Last night I got another supply as I am flying south to Tanzania in a couple of weeks. This physician told ne to start taking the mefloquinine 2 weeks before I got into the malaria area, while the South African physician said to start 1 week before. Both insisted that I take the meds for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria area.
So far, so good - and I did not pay for the meds this time as a new insurance plan took care of it.
Jan 10, 2011, 9:49 am
#26
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Jan 10, 2011, 10:42 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2007
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My father got malaria in North Africa during WWII. I remember he had a relapse and was really sick for well over a week. I mean really, really sick. This is a man who never missed a day of work for more than 45 years (other than the malaria).
People have different levels of risk tolerance. For me, YMMV, I find that taking the pills is less of a hassle than the risk of contracting a disease that will follow me the rest of my life.
People have different levels of risk tolerance. For me, YMMV, I find that taking the pills is less of a hassle than the risk of contracting a disease that will follow me the rest of my life.
Jan 14, 2011, 1:12 pm
#28
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The risk of contracting malaria in the KNP is as close to zero as it can get.
This rainy season, the province of Mpumalanga (population over 3.5m) has so far recorded all of six malaria deaths, none of them in Kruger (part of Kruger is in Limpopo province, for which I do not have mortality figures, but the total number of recorded cases in that province is about 10% fewer than in Mpumalanga).
Those visiting game lodges and rest camps in the greater KNP will be pleased to learn that both provinces spray the insides of dwellings and tourist accommodation units with DDT. So even if you take prophylactics, don't lick the walls in your room!
Johan
This rainy season, the province of Mpumalanga (population over 3.5m) has so far recorded all of six malaria deaths, none of them in Kruger (part of Kruger is in Limpopo province, for which I do not have mortality figures, but the total number of recorded cases in that province is about 10% fewer than in Mpumalanga).
Those visiting game lodges and rest camps in the greater KNP will be pleased to learn that both provinces spray the insides of dwellings and tourist accommodation units with DDT. So even if you take prophylactics, don't lick the walls in your room!
Johan
Last edited by johan rebel; Jan 15, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Jan 15, 2011, 12:31 am
#29
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I agree with Johan. I travel quite extensively throughout Africa and never bother with meds. The only vaccine I have is Yellow Fever and that is because it is required at certain immigration points.
Maybe if I went trekking through a jungle area where malaria actually exists I would take precautions. But business traveling to African cities and visiting very popular tourist sites such as Kruger are about as safe as anything in America.
If you go down the wrong street at the wrong time in Nairobi or Chicago, you can get killed. If you are in the center during the business day, you will be fine in both cities. And while you are just as likely to get bitten by a mosquito in Chicago as you are in Nairobi, you are also just as likely to get Malaria in those cities.
Maybe if I went trekking through a jungle area where malaria actually exists I would take precautions. But business traveling to African cities and visiting very popular tourist sites such as Kruger are about as safe as anything in America.
If you go down the wrong street at the wrong time in Nairobi or Chicago, you can get killed. If you are in the center during the business day, you will be fine in both cities. And while you are just as likely to get bitten by a mosquito in Chicago as you are in Nairobi, you are also just as likely to get Malaria in those cities.
Jan 19, 2011, 5:09 pm
#30
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Malaria not only kills 1 million people, mostly children, a year, but causes financial havoc on places that least can afford it.
As a responsible traveler and someone who is quite close to prominent virologists working in sub-Saharan Africa, I have to ask myself when I go if I'm being a responsible traveler if I don't take meds in malaria-infected areas. If I get malaria and an uninfected mosquito bites me, that mosquito may now contract malaria from me and go on to infect others - including those who can't get the same level of care that I can.
As a responsible traveler and someone who is quite close to prominent virologists working in sub-Saharan Africa, I have to ask myself when I go if I'm being a responsible traveler if I don't take meds in malaria-infected areas. If I get malaria and an uninfected mosquito bites me, that mosquito may now contract malaria from me and go on to infect others - including those who can't get the same level of care that I can.