Lagos & malaria
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Lagos & malaria
I will shortly have the pleasure of doing schedules to Lagos, with the added pleasure of nightstops there! It's a few years since I've been and I was wondering what the local expats are using for antimalarial tablets these days. The UK doctors are recommending we take doxycyccline, which is a helluva strong antibiotic - I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of taking these on a semi-permanent basis for the forseeable future. Anyone who lives there got anything else they swear by?? (Besides the quinine in the tonic, that is!)
Also, please refresh my memory - is the wet season (and hence heightened mozzie activity) March/April and September/October?
Ta in advance,. .t
Also, please refresh my memory - is the wet season (and hence heightened mozzie activity) March/April and September/October?
Ta in advance,. .t
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Have been based off and on for 4 years - only taken the basic weekly malaria tablet as daily made me feel ill, name I have forgotten check later, never got anything I am aware of...a member of staff did get malaria we fed him 'Halfan' available in Nigeria and worth carrying in reserve (very high dose of chloroquine)he lost 7 kilos in 4 days but bounced right back...
The risk is there but if the stuff makes you feel rough then it's up to you...buy Halfan in Nigeria off the shelf to keep in reserve...and remember any symptoms see yr doc. on return...
You only need antibiotics like that if you've been entertaining!
[ 31 January 2002: Message edited by: Boss Raptor ]</p>
The risk is there but if the stuff makes you feel rough then it's up to you...buy Halfan in Nigeria off the shelf to keep in reserve...and remember any symptoms see yr doc. on return...
You only need antibiotics like that if you've been entertaining!
[ 31 January 2002: Message edited by: Boss Raptor ]</p>
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tired. . I think you should see a good Nigerian doctor to recomend a suitable drug for you. Halfan (and most malaria drugs) affect the eyes.Every one should be careful with malaria drugs.English doctors are very good but they lack the practical experince to deal with malaria.
Gatvol
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<a href="http://health.iafrica.com/doconline/malaria/index.htm" target="_blank">http://health.iafrica.com/doconline/malaria/index.htm</a>
Heres a start for a website. But as you will find out ask 10 folks here and get ten answers, all the way up to straight Gin and Tonics even while flying..... .My Best Suggestion is : CONSULT A MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN THIS SUBJECT.. .Having said that I have found sites that recommend Larium (Mefloquine) as long as you have no mental problems. Doxyclcline for short term Prophylaxis. Daramal (Chlorquine) in areas that mossies are not already resistant to it. Paludrine (Proquanil) also... .I bum around the country with a great South African Pilot who taught me this at night ....First make your bed and tuck in your net all around, except for a small area easily entered and exited. Thus you dont have to worry about the net coming loose. Then spray the hell out of the area with Bug KILLER.. About 30 minutes before you go to bed spray the area with repellent.. Make sure when you go to bed you complete the tuck net in procedure, you have had plenty of Gin and Tonic and the room is full of Gheckos.. .Or after all this you still have problems, get a real Airline job. I have never seen Mossies at FL410
Heres a start for a website. But as you will find out ask 10 folks here and get ten answers, all the way up to straight Gin and Tonics even while flying..... .My Best Suggestion is : CONSULT A MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN THIS SUBJECT.. .Having said that I have found sites that recommend Larium (Mefloquine) as long as you have no mental problems. Doxyclcline for short term Prophylaxis. Daramal (Chlorquine) in areas that mossies are not already resistant to it. Paludrine (Proquanil) also... .I bum around the country with a great South African Pilot who taught me this at night ....First make your bed and tuck in your net all around, except for a small area easily entered and exited. Thus you dont have to worry about the net coming loose. Then spray the hell out of the area with Bug KILLER.. About 30 minutes before you go to bed spray the area with repellent.. Make sure when you go to bed you complete the tuck net in procedure, you have had plenty of Gin and Tonic and the room is full of Gheckos.. .Or after all this you still have problems, get a real Airline job. I have never seen Mossies at FL410
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Don't worry, just let them bite you a couple of times, get a few malaria sicknesses, and your body will get use to it. It worked for me, the last time I got the fever was about 15 years ago.. . 
Gatvol
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ADE,. . I can only assume that your joking.... I suppose you agree that getting into one of the Locals Knickers, and catching AIDS also along the same lines?? Or how about Cerebral Malaria. Read the fine print on that one also. Over here We call any of this stuff Serious Sh*t. You have to remember some folks still think Gin and Tonic is a cure all....but having found out, it only makes the girls look good at closing time.
[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: B Sousa ]</p>
[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: B Sousa ]</p>
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Thanks for the gen. guys - much appreciated. Will check out Halfan, hadn't heard of it. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Boss Raptor - yeah, I thought the same as you - antibiotics have nothing to do with malaria - so I checked it out. According to all the gen. I can find (World Health Organisation, South African aviation doctors, the American public health centres etc), this doxycycline stuff, together with Larium (not approved for aircrew) and some other Yankee stuff who's name I forget, are the 3 recommended drugs at the moment worldwide for malaria prophylaxis. You live and learn I guess - certainly wasn't like that in my day! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Again, thanks for the replies.. .t
Boss Raptor - yeah, I thought the same as you - antibiotics have nothing to do with malaria - so I checked it out. According to all the gen. I can find (World Health Organisation, South African aviation doctors, the American public health centres etc), this doxycycline stuff, together with Larium (not approved for aircrew) and some other Yankee stuff who's name I forget, are the 3 recommended drugs at the moment worldwide for malaria prophylaxis. You live and learn I guess - certainly wasn't like that in my day! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Again, thanks for the replies.. .t
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Well have consulted friend Doc. at MRC The Gambia - he says doxy etc. should only be taken when malaria strain is known to be chloroquine resistant...and doxy is bad news as it makes you photosensitive so you should stay out of sunlight...
Also my personal experience with Larium...made me highly photosensitive and highly aggressive...another member of staff was taking it and came out in skin rashes and wanted to pick fights with everybody, most out of character...look at the web on Larium seems to be bad news infact UK CAA at one time issued AIC on it that due 'unknown side effects' not to be taken!
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 02 February 2002: Message edited by: Boss Raptor ]</p>
Also my personal experience with Larium...made me highly photosensitive and highly aggressive...another member of staff was taking it and came out in skin rashes and wanted to pick fights with everybody, most out of character...look at the web on Larium seems to be bad news infact UK CAA at one time issued AIC on it that due 'unknown side effects' not to be taken!
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 02 February 2002: Message edited by: Boss Raptor ]</p>
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Thanks, Boss R.
Yeah, larium definitely a no-no, not approved for aircrew by any country I know of. (Seems they don't care about the punters!!) And I don't want to take this doxycycline stuff for exactly the reasons you state, amongst others - don't like antibiotics at the best of times, certainly not for a month at a time. Trouble is all the health authorities I've consulted, even S Africa who know quite a bit about tropical diseases, recommend it for West Africa, so they must think the mozzies there are quinine-resistant - hope they're wrong!!
What's the name of the "weekly tablet" you mentioned in your 1st post - Paludrine, or Chloroquine, by any chance?
Yeah, larium definitely a no-no, not approved for aircrew by any country I know of. (Seems they don't care about the punters!!) And I don't want to take this doxycycline stuff for exactly the reasons you state, amongst others - don't like antibiotics at the best of times, certainly not for a month at a time. Trouble is all the health authorities I've consulted, even S Africa who know quite a bit about tropical diseases, recommend it for West Africa, so they must think the mozzies there are quinine-resistant - hope they're wrong!!
What's the name of the "weekly tablet" you mentioned in your 1st post - Paludrine, or Chloroquine, by any chance?
Gatvol
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Medication, medication......How about this......If you love Mossies so much. get a flying job in Alaska.........Mosquitoes are so big they need a type rating to fly. They are also sometimes refered to as the Alaskan State Bird. I did a season up there and had to wear a net while out in the bush. BUT.......NO MALARIA......
Interesting stuff....
B Sousa about Mossies at FL410, you'll be surprised boet. Ask the poor guys at Gatwick about getting malaria in London. Although you are correct that it is rare to get malaria on high ground. Your best bet is the old mosquito net and insecticide. Nobody mentioned my favourite the old mosquito coil burning during the night. You stink like hell, but I swear by it. You are most at risk during the late evening, early morning due to the mossie being nocturnal. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
B Sousa about Mossies at FL410, you'll be surprised boet. Ask the poor guys at Gatwick about getting malaria in London. Although you are correct that it is rare to get malaria on high ground. Your best bet is the old mosquito net and insecticide. Nobody mentioned my favourite the old mosquito coil burning during the night. You stink like hell, but I swear by it. You are most at risk during the late evening, early morning due to the mossie being nocturnal. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Gatvol
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Claw, I sort of meant flying formation with Mossies at FL410....Little Humor there... .Malaria in London?? wow, but betting on the diversity of the UK Im not surprised. Are you sure these guys didnt go out of town on a big party with a couple stews. Then tell the wives they caught Malaria in London??
"Skids down and welded."
"Skids down and welded."
The Claw- You fail to mention your usual antidote to all known ills! You normally recommend several Castles to be consumed in quick succession. That sound advice has certainly worked for me in the past! From what I remember at any rate.....
Cheers, H 'n' H
Cheers, H 'n' H
Gatvol
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OK, OK......Back to the Good Land in April.. Castles and Mampoer Chasers ( or I can bring some Gentleman Jack for those who know what it is) on me at the Rotor Arms (if its still there) I think some PPruners here ought to have a get together in SA and discuss the malaria problem...
B Sousa - Wish I could join you for that Castle. Some other time maybe! <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
The Claw - You? Share a beer? I would never even suggest such a thing! It just seems as if Castles are your solution to most of life's ills and I was surprised that did not include Malaria! <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
The Claw - You? Share a beer? I would never even suggest such a thing!
It just seems as if Castles are your solution to most of life's ills and I was surprised that did not include Malaria! <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">