Flying helicopters in africa, anti malarials
Ok, here's a very interesting update. It may prove useful to those of you who ever find yourself out this way!
I came out here about 10 or so days ago, totally prepared to take on the might of the mozzie. I thought I had far superior thinking processes. I believed I could outwit the little monsters. I brought a mosquito net. I brought the plug in room vaporiser. I brought 50% deet skin spray and some 100% deet skin spray, just for good measure. I never went out without long sleeves or long trousers, and plenty of spray on exposed areas.
Oh, and just to make sure, I decided I was going to take Malarone until I got here and see how it all worked out. Better to be safe than sorry eh?
How many bites have I had in 10 days? Well I thought it was only one, on my stomach where one had managed to get through the gap in my shirt when i'd been out at night for a meal.
Now, 2 days ago I felt as if i'd strained my neck (fat chance) and then I had stomach upsets, loose bowels etc, (I know, I know, too much info) but it's relevant, and yesterday got up feeling dreadful. Off to the local clinic said my base manager. So I dutifully went, and with a stomach so painful I thought I was going to pass out, I had a full blood test.
(NB Here in this country it's possible to walk into the clinic, without an appointment, and have a blood test with instant results. Try that in good old Blighty eh? Just shows how backward the UK is as I had to wait a week for blood test results back there recently)
Anyway, turns out I have Malaria! Already! Doctor said I had to have been bitten about 5-7 days earlier. Parasites present. Started on a 3 day course of Duo-Cotecxin, and some Dividol, and some Perinorm, and just for good measure, some Panadol. Today, was started on some Zinnat (cefuroxime axetil) and apart from a low white blood cell count and borderline kidney function, I feel much better, if not a little tired still, but the doctor says if I hadn't have taken the Malarone I could have been a lot worse. Also, they did another test to check exactly which type of parasite I had, in case it had been from previous travels, but no, it was a local type, falciparum, which hadn't been living in my liver for a couple of years. The doctor recommends not going out at night! Everyone to use mosquito nets, always use skin protection deet 50% stuff, and to cover up as much as possible if going out. Also, if you do go out, make sure you try to go somewhere there is a breeze blowing.
So, the moral of the story is I guess that no matter what you do, the mosquito will find a way, even if they are just a carrier for the parasite.
At the first sign of any illness, go have a malaria test. They tell you there and then and can start treating you. Taking Malarone didnt make any difference to the test result. It won't stop you getting malaria.
I came out here about 10 or so days ago, totally prepared to take on the might of the mozzie. I thought I had far superior thinking processes. I believed I could outwit the little monsters. I brought a mosquito net. I brought the plug in room vaporiser. I brought 50% deet skin spray and some 100% deet skin spray, just for good measure. I never went out without long sleeves or long trousers, and plenty of spray on exposed areas.
Oh, and just to make sure, I decided I was going to take Malarone until I got here and see how it all worked out. Better to be safe than sorry eh?
How many bites have I had in 10 days? Well I thought it was only one, on my stomach where one had managed to get through the gap in my shirt when i'd been out at night for a meal.
Now, 2 days ago I felt as if i'd strained my neck (fat chance) and then I had stomach upsets, loose bowels etc, (I know, I know, too much info) but it's relevant, and yesterday got up feeling dreadful. Off to the local clinic said my base manager. So I dutifully went, and with a stomach so painful I thought I was going to pass out, I had a full blood test.
(NB Here in this country it's possible to walk into the clinic, without an appointment, and have a blood test with instant results. Try that in good old Blighty eh? Just shows how backward the UK is as I had to wait a week for blood test results back there recently)
Anyway, turns out I have Malaria! Already! Doctor said I had to have been bitten about 5-7 days earlier. Parasites present. Started on a 3 day course of Duo-Cotecxin, and some Dividol, and some Perinorm, and just for good measure, some Panadol. Today, was started on some Zinnat (cefuroxime axetil) and apart from a low white blood cell count and borderline kidney function, I feel much better, if not a little tired still, but the doctor says if I hadn't have taken the Malarone I could have been a lot worse. Also, they did another test to check exactly which type of parasite I had, in case it had been from previous travels, but no, it was a local type, falciparum, which hadn't been living in my liver for a couple of years. The doctor recommends not going out at night! Everyone to use mosquito nets, always use skin protection deet 50% stuff, and to cover up as much as possible if going out. Also, if you do go out, make sure you try to go somewhere there is a breeze blowing.
So, the moral of the story is I guess that no matter what you do, the mosquito will find a way, even if they are just a carrier for the parasite.
At the first sign of any illness, go have a malaria test. They tell you there and then and can start treating you. Taking Malarone didnt make any difference to the test result. It won't stop you getting malaria.
It's an interesting topic! Of the 4 strains of Malaria, Falciparum is the most dangerous and the one that kills the most people - often colloquially known as Cerebal Malaria. It doesn't recurr - it kills you or you kill it! The two that can recur are Ovale and Vivax and these tend to give fairly mild flu-like symptoms. Sadly, I know of two engineers who had these for several years and became used to the regular recurrences. The only problem was they ignored them and failed to spot a new infection that turned out to be Falciparum and by the time the severity was realised, it was too late!
I had Falciparum in 1997 and it wasn't an experience I'd wish to repeat. Interestingly, after 7 days on a drip in a semi delerious state it appeared to have been cured. A couple of weeks later on my treturn to the UK the symptoms re-appeared and I took myself down to the local A&E to report I had malaria. Of course, they had to run various blood tests to check it wasn't something else, which led to quite an uncomfortable delay. It turned out that not all the parasites had been killed.
A certain General Manager for BHL in Lagos once sent out a memo that stated the incidence of sickness due to Malaria was unacceptable and amounted to personal negligence. He was in Lagos for 7 years and never contracted it once. A couple of years later he came out on a visit in his new role, from the UK, for 2 weeks. On his return he became ill, lapsed into a coma, was on a life support machine and was read his last rites. He eventually recovered. I think the moral of the story is that at the end of the day, Malaria is like Russina roulette - whether you get it or not is all down to the luck of the draw!
I had Falciparum in 1997 and it wasn't an experience I'd wish to repeat. Interestingly, after 7 days on a drip in a semi delerious state it appeared to have been cured. A couple of weeks later on my treturn to the UK the symptoms re-appeared and I took myself down to the local A&E to report I had malaria. Of course, they had to run various blood tests to check it wasn't something else, which led to quite an uncomfortable delay. It turned out that not all the parasites had been killed.
A certain General Manager for BHL in Lagos once sent out a memo that stated the incidence of sickness due to Malaria was unacceptable and amounted to personal negligence. He was in Lagos for 7 years and never contracted it once. A couple of years later he came out on a visit in his new role, from the UK, for 2 weeks. On his return he became ill, lapsed into a coma, was on a life support machine and was read his last rites. He eventually recovered. I think the moral of the story is that at the end of the day, Malaria is like Russina roulette - whether you get it or not is all down to the luck of the draw!
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When I worked in West Africa I took Savarine for a little bit, until I woke up one day with my lips swollen like crazy, so I quit it, never got Malaria, I used to out in the field by myself so I was told to take HALFAN with me and if I felt sick just pop the pills and ride it out.
I saw a few of the Peace Corps guys go a little crazy with Mefloquine BTW. Not recommended.
I saw a few of the Peace Corps guys go a little crazy with Mefloquine BTW. Not recommended.
I'm in Tanzania by the way.
Well I didn't quite realise that Falciparum was the most dangerous. Maybe i'd read it and not realised. maybe I was treated quickly enough that my parasite count was low when I started treatment. I wonder at what point you lapse into coma, not that I wish to experiment or anything. Probably if you dont realise you have it, and leave it, discounting it as something else for a couple of weeks?
Anyway, the medicine they give you for treatment isnt pleasant, makes you feel kind of spaced out, dizzy, but, all things going well, I can return to work tomorrow. So glad I had the test quickly and was taking Malarone already.
Lets see what the next few weeks brings. Wonder if I can go for the record number of Malaria infections in one tour?
212man, just out of interest, how long do you reckon you may have had it before being tested/started treatment?
Well I didn't quite realise that Falciparum was the most dangerous. Maybe i'd read it and not realised. maybe I was treated quickly enough that my parasite count was low when I started treatment. I wonder at what point you lapse into coma, not that I wish to experiment or anything. Probably if you dont realise you have it, and leave it, discounting it as something else for a couple of weeks?
Anyway, the medicine they give you for treatment isnt pleasant, makes you feel kind of spaced out, dizzy, but, all things going well, I can return to work tomorrow. So glad I had the test quickly and was taking Malarone already.
Lets see what the next few weeks brings. Wonder if I can go for the record number of Malaria infections in one tour?
212man, just out of interest, how long do you reckon you may have had it before being tested/started treatment?
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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
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
Helimutt,
You seem to have been most unlucky!
Been working in Africa, the Caribbean and South America for over 5 years. Never had Malaria, so I can't tell you much about how long the recovery will take but from former colleauges, they have told me that profylactics are ok to use if you're only going to stay for a short while in ''infected'' areas.
They told me that, the use of profylactics will ''mask'' the symptoms and delay the diagnosis which in turn will let the parasites get a better grip and the recovery will eventually take longer. These resident africans, a couple of them has it reguarly, have had malaria both ON and OFF profylactics and ''prefer''
getting it without.(due to the earlier diagnosis, symptoms)
Falciparum consitute about 80% of the deaths from Malaria, and is the most aggressive of the 4, and if let alone for long enough it gets to your brain (hence celebral malaria) and if that is the case, you'll be lucky to survive.
As said above, most important is to prevent the bites in the first place.
We used to spray our rooms an hour or so before going to bed, when not using nets, and cover exposed skin during night with repellent (ie. ears,neck,arms, feet)
Good personal hygiene is important to limit the amount of bites as well, think espesially about your ancles/feet. I allways use repellent on my socks and lower pants when going out after sunset.
I night have been lucky, but these things have worked for me.
The good thing with malaria, is that it has diffrent drugs you can use to be treated with, it is very diffrent with for instance Dengue-fever which is a virus and don't have any medical treatment for it, so you have to ride it off... trust me, you don't what to get that either (personal experience 41C fever+lots of pain) and the mosqito is active during the day...
On a sidenote, the normal reaction of health-workers in northern Europe to Malaria, is that is close to signing your death-sertificate, and you just shouldn't even go to places like Africa if you can avoid it......which has to do with the limited knowledge of the average practitioner as they are very seldom exosed to these problems.
Hope it helps, and good luck in the future!
You seem to have been most unlucky!
Been working in Africa, the Caribbean and South America for over 5 years. Never had Malaria, so I can't tell you much about how long the recovery will take but from former colleauges, they have told me that profylactics are ok to use if you're only going to stay for a short while in ''infected'' areas.
They told me that, the use of profylactics will ''mask'' the symptoms and delay the diagnosis which in turn will let the parasites get a better grip and the recovery will eventually take longer. These resident africans, a couple of them has it reguarly, have had malaria both ON and OFF profylactics and ''prefer''
getting it without.(due to the earlier diagnosis, symptoms)Falciparum consitute about 80% of the deaths from Malaria, and is the most aggressive of the 4, and if let alone for long enough it gets to your brain (hence celebral malaria) and if that is the case, you'll be lucky to survive.
As said above, most important is to prevent the bites in the first place.
We used to spray our rooms an hour or so before going to bed, when not using nets, and cover exposed skin during night with repellent (ie. ears,neck,arms, feet)
Good personal hygiene is important to limit the amount of bites as well, think espesially about your ancles/feet. I allways use repellent on my socks and lower pants when going out after sunset.
I night have been lucky, but these things have worked for me.
The good thing with malaria, is that it has diffrent drugs you can use to be treated with, it is very diffrent with for instance Dengue-fever which is a virus and don't have any medical treatment for it, so you have to ride it off... trust me, you don't what to get that either (personal experience 41C fever+lots of pain) and the mosqito is active during the day...
On a sidenote, the normal reaction of health-workers in northern Europe to Malaria, is that is close to signing your death-sertificate, and you just shouldn't even go to places like Africa if you can avoid it......which has to do with the limited knowledge of the average practitioner as they are very seldom exosed to these problems.
Hope it helps, and good luck in the future!
