it can and does kill
Whew!
Missed a couple days of prophylasis meds and took a real bad dose of Cerebral Malaria. Put me in a coma, damn near killed me...six days in the hospital...most of it in ICU.
Falciparum Malaria is insidious, yet extremely fast moving. From the initial onset of symptoms to death can be in as little as 48hrs.
Its those symptoms that you must recognise. I swore I had a flu as i had been around others with flu. While home alone, it progressed , annihilating my energy and destroying my ability to make a clear decision . I was found in bed, diapheretic, semi-conscience and rushed to a local hospital where, due to lack of knowledge about Malaria, I worsened until airlifted to a larger city hospital where I subsequently recovered...minus 20 lbs!
It's so important that at the slightest malaise, to get tested and treated ASAP.
After recovering, I discussed at length, future protection and treatment with several specialists in tropical deseases.
I now use Doxycycline. It has very low incidence of side effects, is not used with the most serious of bacterialogical infections so immunity isn't a factor and, taken with food, won't upset most stomachs. I also carry a treatment pack of Malarone, so that should I encounter symptoms...4 tabs /day for 3days straight.
I chose not to use malarone as a prophylasis as this use prevents it from being used as treatment.
I've worked with people who also don't take any prophylasis, but on the onset of symptoms, scarf down the malarone.
There's lots of info out there and lots of other opinions on prevention, treatment etc....chose your own weapon....but make sure your armed.