your approach to malaria

ale.b wrote:

Hello All,

i am moving to Ghana (accra) from the UK for 2 years and i am evaluating what approach to take against malaria:


-take malarone for the 2 years (+ use insect repellant, etc...)
-do not take any anti-malaria pills and just use insect repellant and always use long sleeved clothes
-do not take any anti-malaria pills and just use insect repellant and always use long sleeved clothes BUT take malarone whenever i am going to remote areas of Ghana or when i am volunteering in 'outskirts' of the city
(malaria spreading mozzies are not confined or restricted to any one particular area: in the bush, in the home, in the city, day or night; it can be in anywhere and at anytime) and I have been reliably informed that once contracted malaria, the parasites will NEVER die but live on in our liver(?) and when one's immune system is weak, they strike again - diver7up
the views from my doctors/employer/online are very contrasting and i would like to understand your experience living there.

thanks very much - really appreciate your contribution!

ale

Hi ale,

I posted the below in the same forum but under the Angola section:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=80009

I read with interest on this subject matter as I have come down with malaria on 6 occasions thus I took the trouble to read up on this subject.

Whatever the case, prevention is the best medicine however, not all the times can we do so.

There are quite a few breeds of mosquitoes that can cause malaria but the more common ones are Anopheles or Aedes in my case. I have stayed in Africa (North, West and now in Angola) for almost 30 years.

I do not really know if the origin of a person or gene in terms of Nationalities (I am Asian) may have different levels of tolerance. In my case, I take medication only when I have already contracted malaria. There are many types of medicines but I have always resorted to Artesunate (full course)and please consult your doctors for medication. I refer to this because I have been prescribed and it worked all the times and sometime, in conjunction with other orthodox medicines.

There is another “herbal medicine” traditionally used in Western part where I used to stay and it was equally helpful, i.e. boiling pineapple skin with plenty of lemon grass. Drink often – makes a nice tea concoction anyway.

By the way, most malaria are contracted during day times than we normally believe; evening.

I also believe that for a foreigner who wants to purchase medication to treat local illness, please do consult the local doctors as they are more experienced in the treatment of endemic illness .e,g, no need for an Alaskan to return home to treat his malaria whilst he could have consulted a local doctor, lolx.

What I have narrated are just my personal experience and by no means are sure cures.

Bottom line, don’t be stingy with the repellent, use mosquito nets and thick long sleeves where possible.

I have heard that body stench, alcohol filled body fluid, filthy socks and shoes are invitations for mozzie parties.

Stay healthy.

Please check up this link for more info on mosquitoes and malaria:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito#Natural_predators

Cheers