Anti Malarial Tablets

Any of you lot have much of an opinion of taking anti malarial tablets?

I've looked at the fitfortravel malaria map, and where I'm going might be in the red zone. Most of the people I know who are traveling don't take them Now I know no one can say I won't get malaria if I don't take them, but in your travels to Phil have you taken them? I'm aware Manila isn't a risk area, so anyone travel from this point and not taken them?

Main question is for those who have taken them, did they make you feel really sick?

Yes. I have spent time in a couple of regions in the world where malaria is known to be a problem. And I have been to the Philippines.

When I worked in Angola and Indonesia I was advised by my GP and my employer to take anti malaria tablets. And I did. When I was in Indonesia I came down with what came across as a flu of some kind. I was told by the medics that it was malaria and as I had taken the medicine it was "fighting" the malaria and if I hadnt taken the medicine then i would have contracted a nasty strain of malaria.

When I visited the Philippines I didn't take antimalaria tablets but I reckon I should have. I don't believe the Philippines is Malaria free. Problem is that the medicine is harmful too.


"When traveling in the Philippines, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are going, when you are traveling, and if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or sleeping outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. For more information on malaria in the Philippines, see malaria in the Philippines."

Malaria in the Philippines

Malaria

"Areas with malaria: Present in rural areas <600 m (1,969 ft) on the islands of Basilu, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, Sulu (Jolo), and Tawi-Tawi. None in urban areas.
Estimated relative risk of malaria for US travelers: Low.
Drug resistance4: Chloroquine.
Malaria species: P. falciparum 70%–80%, P. vivax 20%–30%.
Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine


To be honest, when I took them, they didnt make me feel ill. But my understanding is that in the long term they can.

I often wondered if gin and tonic water everyday would do the trick.

From the World Health Organisation:

http://www.who.org.ph/malaria.html

First of all, a "health warning": Please do NOT base your decisions on what you read here, you really should check with a health professional and a good source would be the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London.

There are two types of Mosquito: those that transmit Malaria and certain other parasitic diseases. These are not normally encountered in major cities or towns but will found in rural parts of Luzon and the eastern Visayan islands.

The other variant can be encountered anywhere in the Philippines - including major cities - and they are the Dengue Fever vectors. But this second kind really only come out "to play" in the late afternoon/early evening and early morning. They fly quite close to the ground and attack unprotected limbs so you are strongly advised to wear long pants, socks and covered shoes at those times of day. If you're seated outdoors, a long-sleeve shirt is advised.

If you contract either disease, you will almost certainly be admitted to hospital and whilst there is no cure for Dengue, with the correct treatment started early enough, you should survive with no problem. The symptoms are similar to those for a bad cold leading on to 'flu. If you're a blood donor, then your donating days would be over.

All Mosquitos can be repelled by Deet-based topical applications such as "Off!" but it needs to be applied fairly often and thoroughly. Alternatively you can buy anti-Mosquito pendants: these are small battery-powered devices which emit an inaudible high frequency tone which Mosquitos don't like and will fly away from. I've seen - and bought - them at National Bookstore here but you may also find them online (eg Amazon) or at a larger branch of Boots. They do work.

But you asked about anti-Malarials and you'll be aware that they can give rise to nasty side-effects for some people. I don't believe there is any test to find out whether you will be one of those who suffer the side-effects. You must seek specialist advice.

Finally, I would strongly advise you to buy Vitamin C but not as Ascorbic Acid but rather the alkaline form: Sodium Ascorbate, 200mg. These are generally one per day but for maximum protection, I advise two per day -- it's OK, you can't overdose on Vitamin C!! And you should start taking them - one every 12 hours - a couple of days before you travel and continue for one week after you return to the UK. These can be bought over the counter at Boots but they are not available at all in the Philippines.

In the 50s and 60s, a couple of G&Ts was considered to be the anti-malarial of choice amongst the European rubber planters and tea growers in Malaya! Trouble is that someone in (the British) government decided that the amount of Quinine in a bottle of Schweppes Tonic was too high for everyday consumption and it was cut quite a bit. The end result being that there's now too little of the drug for it to have a beneficial effect. If I remember correctly, you'd now have to drink a litre or so of Tonic Water to get the same dosage; anti-malarial pills are probably cheaper!

A liter of Tonic Water and the appropriate amount of gin would be fun to drink though....

Indeed, John, sheers

Ok, thanks guys. I have spoken to the doctor and also a private travel vaccination place about vaccinations and malaria, and I have purchased the tablets (for a small fortune). Just wondered people experience with them.

What's the purpose of the vit c mate? Also, I'm intrigued as to why not get the acid form?

My recollection has it there are different types. But the ones I took were reputed to have side effects, however I didn't notice any.

At this time of year, there's about a 25-30 degree Celsius temperature difference which will make you susceptible to colds or 'flu. A high dose of Vitamin C mitigates that and the reason for the alkaline version is that the body accepts high doses in that form but not in the acidic form.

Hi Green just my threepenneth never taken any anti-malerials myself have including the Fils spent about 3 years in SE Asia including Lao and North Thailand includung staying in bamboo huts with Akka and Lahu and Karen folk near the Burma border never had malaria and perhaps more interestingly never met anyone from the west who did I took normal precautions off the beaten track and used a net at night time initially.

Conversely I have met folk who had dengue and this is far more worrying and whilst Mark is correct to say there is no western prevention or treatment other than prevention and hydration help that is recognized there is a native plant that may be a life saver known as tawa tawa

You're referring to the green tops of Comotes, a native root vegetable. Yes, these can be gently boiled in water to produce a "tea" which when sipped is supposed to have a beneficial effect for those suffering from Dengue. But this is a local, native remedy and the usual caveats apply. I suspect, however, that its efficacy may simply be down to the extra salts and minerals extracted from the plant material which the body needs for rehydration. Similar to a saline drip or the rehydration salts that one can buy (in Boots) to assist in recuperation from a severe bout of diarrhoea.

I contracted Dengue in the mid-70s whilst on a short visit to Malaya and I can assure you it is the most unpleasant of experiences: I "lost" ten days of my life and almost 2 stone in weight and had to delay my return to the UK, which did not impress my employer. Unlike Malaria - which I believe you can only suffer from once - the body does not become immune to Dengue and each re-occurrence is more severe. As a result, I am scrupulously careful regarding protecting myself against Mozzie bites.

So, great for those wanting to shed a few pounds!

Ouch.... The problem is none of the big drug companies want to do the research for a plant that grows every where especially as their clients with money dont live much in Dengue high risk areas

Green, my husband took malaria pills when he was working in Nigeria as prescribed by their company. He would feel sick and nauseous at first but it got better in time. Still not a very pleasant pill to pop.

The Philippines is not malaria free and people have died of it. My husband never took the pills when he is here though we live in Manila. Whereas in the province are you going? Might be good to check with your GP

Urban oss urban