malaria
I have been in Africa for some years and am a Health and Safety Manager in the oil industry. Im dealing with the same questions and concerns day in day out. In my expierience, most of the short term ex pats will take a prophpylaxis but we have on occassion had them still getting malaria. Our longer term expats both resident and rotators tend not to take them, reasons given being, some complain of side effects and others dont take as malarone is known to be very hard on the liver long term.
Larium is avoided s it appears to be the modern day 'bluey' and sends you nuts and many take Doxycycline but thats more of a general neutrelizer.
Fact is if your going to get malaria the best place to get it diagnosed is Africa, Drs there recognise it as we do the cold in uk, yes they will confirm it with a blood test but most of these Docs know by looking at you, UK is hopeless at diagnosing it, this is where the self test kit comes in, if you have reputable or company approved medical providers in Africa, dont even bother self testing, just go and see them, carry your self test home with you, your still vulnerable for up to a month out of the malarial area.
Know the sympthoms, flu like, aches and pains in joints, stomach pain, sweats, Malaria is a progressive illness unlike the flu where you feel better after a few days this will just polax you, treat as early as you can. Carry an anti malarial with you when you go home.
Stick to some basic rules and minmise bites , youll never eliminate totally, regards repellant, believe it or not the best you can use is not custom made but is Boots skin so soft spray, your most at risk from dusk till dawn, wear long sleeves if poss, use mozzie nets over beds, keep A/C as low as possible , mozzies go dormant below 18oC, keep windows and screens closed and avoid areas of still or stagnent water, malaria is a killer alas we have expierienced it so get to know the sympyhoms and dont try and beat it as you would a cold or flu......you wont