"Thanks for the easy to read information on malaria pills
for regular travelers like me... sent me browsing all over this site!"
We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that didn't happen. 2021 hasn't been so good either!
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Let's hope we can all be traveling again in 2022!
Malaria is a disease that occurs in many areas of the world... and you don't have to be an adventure traveler to get to some of those countries.
If you’re going to travel where there is the possibility of becoming infected.... take the pills!
Which pills?
We'll review those below.
There are different ones for different travel destinations.
Have you heard horror stories about some of
those malaria pills?
We've heard them too, but we've taken them all and had no real problems.
The short answer is... Unfortunately... Not yet.
This is a serious disease. It's worst effects are felt by the local populations because they are constantly exposed to it, but we have met travelers who have contracted this nasty disease, and it is NOT something you want to get.
It's all about mosquito bites.
The disease is spread by mosquitos which are infected by a parasite that gets into your blood stream from the mosquito bite.... actually four different kinds of parasites which can infect humans.
The fevers and chills make you miserable, but it can also be fatal.
...So this is a travel health recommendation that you should take seriously. We've taken a variety of anti-malarial pills through the years, and we've gone through our experience with each below.
The classic symptoms that you hear about are high fevers and shaking chills. Milder cases may appear to be a flu-type illness. Either way, it should always be treated. These symptoms can occur in as little as 8 days or as long as several months after the mosquito bite.
It's ALWAYS better to try and prevent it. That's what we're trying to tell you here...
...There are precautions you can take. Check with the Center for Disease Control website on this and other mosquito borne diseases.
In all travel health issues, the CDC or your national health service is a good place to start.
If you are pregnant or you might become pregnant while you are traveling, there are some things you should know about malaria pills and pregnancy.
If the medication is recommended don't ignore it. It's a serious problem.
There is no vaccination yet. You will have to use pills.
Some are taken daily, some weekly... be sure to take them on schedule without missing doses.
The recommended medication is different depending on where you go... and if the parasites the mosquitos carry have become resistant to one medication or another. The CDC page on preventive medications will give you the whole list along with the directions for use and side effects. (It's along page, and it gets complicated. Best advice is to talk to a travel medicine doctor.)
We have used a variety of prescriptions through the years. Here is the list of drugs used today as listed on the CDC site. Check the link above for more details.
Other drugs that are sometimes prescribed are Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and Primaquine.
The best prevention is to avoid being bitten.
Use insect repellent. Repellents containing a high percentage of DEET seem to be the most effective at the moment.
Wear long sleeves and long pants in the evenings when mosquitos are most apt to be flying around looking for you.
You can buy clothing that has been treated to be bug resistant. Check sporting goods stores and travel catalogs.
Mosquito netting
... If your hotel provides a mosquito net - use it! They are not just fashion accessories.
We wish we could tell you there was one. Scientists have been trying to come up with one for decades.
Late in 2011 we learned that there is a new vaccine that is in "large scale trials" in Africa... the scientists who developed it say it "shows the risk of malaria cut in half." This particular vaccine is being developed to protect children in areas where malaria is a fact of life. There is no plan to try to develop this vaccine for use in adults.
For travelers, the advice is still to take anti-malarial medication.
We're not medical experts, so if you have questions, consult your travel medicine doctor. Then, just remember what I've said before... Don't worry too much over all this.... take it seriously, take all the precautions, and you should be fine.
Just go, take your anti-malaria pills, and enjoy your trip.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
The Holidays are Here!
Time to remind you we have tips on
Surviving Holiday Flights
Holiday flight may be more frustrating than usual. Try to stay calm.
Remember, if you DO travel and if you’re carrying gifts, it’s better not to wrap them… airport security might make you open them!
And if you're not traveling far, reminisce about past trips.
European Christmas Markets
German Christmas Markets
Seiffen Germany Makes Christmas Decorations
Cold Weather Packing List
The holidays can be hectic, but treat yourself...
Take the holiday time to explore more pages here... Get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip next year.
Need Travel Ideas?
Things to See in Europe
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Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!
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We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
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