Pilots and Malaria
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 245
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From: Lagos
Fansidar
kotakota,
Sulfadoxine with pyrimethamine is also known by the brand name Fansidar and was a new antimalarial about 15 years ago. Why anyone would want to take these in conjunction with Coartem is beyond me, and would probably severely punish your liver. If you have Coartem as a malaria cure, you shouldn't need anything else. You could take malarone as an anti-malarial, but read my advice on them in previous posts. Doxycycline is quite an effective prophylaxis, but in some light-skinned individuals who burn easily it may make them more liable to sunburn. It probably has less side effects than any of the other anti-malarial prohylaxis available at present. If you're not an aviator and only coming for a few weeks, you could consider Mefloquine (Larium). However, be aware that it can cause depression, anxiety and paranoia in a some people and is not recommended for aircrew. It is a fairly effective anti-malarial. As long as you use a good sunscreen and don't have very sensitive skin, doxycycline is probably not too bad, with Coartem as your treatment if you still contract malaria.
Sulfadoxine with pyrimethamine is also known by the brand name Fansidar and was a new antimalarial about 15 years ago. Why anyone would want to take these in conjunction with Coartem is beyond me, and would probably severely punish your liver. If you have Coartem as a malaria cure, you shouldn't need anything else. You could take malarone as an anti-malarial, but read my advice on them in previous posts. Doxycycline is quite an effective prophylaxis, but in some light-skinned individuals who burn easily it may make them more liable to sunburn. It probably has less side effects than any of the other anti-malarial prohylaxis available at present. If you're not an aviator and only coming for a few weeks, you could consider Mefloquine (Larium). However, be aware that it can cause depression, anxiety and paranoia in a some people and is not recommended for aircrew. It is a fairly effective anti-malarial. As long as you use a good sunscreen and don't have very sensitive skin, doxycycline is probably not too bad, with Coartem as your treatment if you still contract malaria.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 745
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From: Too far from the equator
Fansidar
Takunbo
Thanks for all that . I do remember the name Fansidar , but did not read labels too carefully in those days !
It appears that in Doxycycline and Coartem I have the goods already.
Yes , I am an aviator , so Lariam is definitely out .
Take care up there
KK
Thanks for all that . I do remember the name Fansidar , but did not read labels too carefully in those days !
It appears that in Doxycycline and Coartem I have the goods already.
Yes , I am an aviator , so Lariam is definitely out .
Take care up there
KK
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Talking to one of the guys at the Orval, the scenario went something like this:
Spent 10 years in Africa: all over the continent. (S.A., Rhodesia [it was then!], Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Central African Empire, Gambia, Sudan, Egypt etc.)
Later spent considerable time in the Caribbean.
Never took any pills, always wore long sleeves and long trousers, never caught Malaria, drank loads of Gin and Tonic! (No ice thank you! Catch nasty things from ice!)
As for Marmite? Much better on toast, with marmalade!
‘Specially for CD… The real ‘quote’ is:
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
Spent 10 years in Africa: all over the continent. (S.A., Rhodesia [it was then!], Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Central African Empire, Gambia, Sudan, Egypt etc.)
Later spent considerable time in the Caribbean.
Never took any pills, always wore long sleeves and long trousers, never caught Malaria, drank loads of Gin and Tonic! (No ice thank you! Catch nasty things from ice!)
As for Marmite? Much better on toast, with marmalade!
‘Specially for CD… The real ‘quote’ is:
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Aarhus
Malaria medicin
Hi,
I'm going to Africa soon. So I just wanted to hear if anybody knew what kind of malaria-medicin is legal to take when flying? I heard that Lariam is not legal if you are a pilot!
Any advice or suggestions...
Cheers
I'm going to Africa soon. So I just wanted to hear if anybody knew what kind of malaria-medicin is legal to take when flying? I heard that Lariam is not legal if you are a pilot!
Any advice or suggestions...
Cheers
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,211
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From: UK
I would not take any anti-maleria drugs if you intend to stay for a period of time, I would not take any if I was only there for a short period either.
Just take care, the main thing you need is a good quality net to sleep under, a fan in your room to keep the air moving and perhaps cream.
Just take care, the main thing you need is a good quality net to sleep under, a fan in your room to keep the air moving and perhaps cream.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 157
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From: Pretoria, South Africa
i have been flying around africa for the last 2 years and have never taken any precaution medicine wise. would have to be on it forever! and the story of g&t is nonsense.... would have to consume serious amounts of tonic water to get remotely close to what is needed!
tabart spray/ stick/ cream, long clothes, collar shirt, tucked in shirt, socks, shoes and closed windows and some aircon or a fan! those treated mozzi nets also great! and coartem on standby and a local doctor with knowledge of the local malaria!
tabart spray/ stick/ cream, long clothes, collar shirt, tucked in shirt, socks, shoes and closed windows and some aircon or a fan! those treated mozzi nets also great! and coartem on standby and a local doctor with knowledge of the local malaria!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Macau
Just had malaria in Nigeria, took Artesunate for 3 days and Fansidar as a booster on the second day. Felt great the 3rd day. Friends from Malabo sent me the tabs in a yellow box .... great stuff, better than Malarone.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 178
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From: Malta
I would not take any anti-maleria drugs if you intend to stay for a period of time, I would not take any if I was only there for a short period either.
Is there effective medication to cover you while flying for this period of time?
Is a brand of medication effective in certain areas, and not in others?
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 188
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From: Holland
From personal experience I can honestly say that it is better to get malaria rather than risking the possibility of the malaria not being identified. I ended up with cerebral malaria........ it was close, too close!!
I was treated with anti- biotics for a bad flue and the pills masked the virus in the blood or whatever. By the time I ended up in hospital the specialist took a gamble and gave me quinine directly through a drip into the blood. Saved my life.
Just take care and if you do get sick tell the doctor where you have been.
I was treated with anti- biotics for a bad flue and the pills masked the virus in the blood or whatever. By the time I ended up in hospital the specialist took a gamble and gave me quinine directly through a drip into the blood. Saved my life.
Just take care and if you do get sick tell the doctor where you have been.
