http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7488018.stm


Don't forget your Malaria preventatives when you or your SO go back to visit. Sleep under a net and take sprays with you.
Malaria is on the rise in the UK and it can happen here too.
Don't assume that he has immunity, he should take the meds too.
I like Malarone, it is taken 2 days before, during and 1 week after travel.

Yes. It is very important! I took mefloquine and loved it. It gives you nice vivid dreams Mefloquine is taken once a week, so you have to be on point!

Malaria is no joke! Trust me, I know!!!

I'm going to have to remember this when I go back. I didn't take any meds ( I did have them with me, though) and I don't want to risk that again.

You really don't. It really can make a downer of your trip

I was just prescribed Mefloquine. I like that it is only once a week...makes my life easier.

I like it because the only side effect is having vivid dreams (which is definitely not a bad thing). Everyone I know who took it, including myself have not experienced any bad side effects.

That makes me feel better. I was reading the side effects and was a little concerned but it seems like a lot of people do not have severe side effects.

Just wanted to add on mefloquine that you shouldn't take it if you have any family history of mental illness. People frequently have halucinations and can end up harming themselves while taking mefloquine. I never had anything happen - not even the vivid dreams - but I did know a few people that had to be taken off the drug because they were either a harm to themselves or others.

Kanyiri, thanks for letting us know that. I will definately keep that in mind when it comes to taking Malaria meds.

This is a legal drug? We might need to do a VJ intervention here. Zee, step away from the mefloquine!

I always take malarone because I'm a diabetic and have to take meds daily, so I just add one more pill.

I don't ever remember my dreams so this will be interesting if I have vivid dreams. Inusah will have a ball

My sister is allergic to chloroquine so she was prescribed Malarone. My Dr said that as long as I had no side effects with chloroquine I should be OK with the Mefloquine.

I think you are pretty sane...so you should be fine

When I attended the Univ of Buf, there were a lot of students traveling around the same time as me and they took Mefloquine.... No negative side effects reported back to the school... As a matter of fact, people were requesting more upon their return because like you, they could not remember having dreams before taking Mefloquine. I think you should be fine. There are side effects to everything we ingest, nowadays. ...

What you trying to say Asante? You think I may not be all there? That I may be missing a few marbles?

You would not be the first one

I LOVE YOU, ZEE

Please remember some of the the malaria strains are resistant to some meds and only a qualified travel clinic can tell you which meds are fine in specific sub-saharan countries.
It is all region specific and strain related.
So don't just walk into the doctors office saying ' gimme some .......', chances are he is clueless of the mosquito types in the country you want to visit.
Chloroquine is one of the meds that certain types have developed a resistance to.
A combo of several meds such as Malarone works well for most.

Thank you for sharing this information. I had no idea that I will now have to take Anti-Malarial drugs to go back to visit my guy in the UK. I did take them when I went to Nigeria though. Thanks again.

No, I think Asante is the one who needs the intervention. She is sounding a little hooked on the vivid dreams. PUT THE PILLS DOWN!

P.S. This thread has been helpful!

When I went to my doctor, he went straight to the CDC website and printed out all the info I needed to know about possible diseases that can be contracted in Ghana and the surrounding areas. He also asked me if Ghana was the only place in Africa I planned to visit during my travels and if it was a direct flight and if not what country would the lay over be and for how long would I be there.

It is very important to look up this info on your own as well as tell your doctor about all the places you may go within and outside the country you are visiting. There may be different risks in the same country depending on locale.


Why u always picking on me
No intervention needed. Mefloquine is a good time

You ladies really have me cracking up Laughing Out Loud sometimes. You should all get together and take this show on the road. The VJ Comedy Club.

Stevi, you don't have to take Anti Malaria drugs to go to the UK, though Malaria cases are on the rise there, no one is required
to take them to go there.
What I meant was to go anywhere in Africa , USC or SO visiting, take the drugs, but not going to Europe.
With global traveling increasing, it is easy to see a slight rise in cases.

Oh, I understand it better now.

Okay.....Thank you for clarifying that for me Omoba.

Life is too stressful to be serious all the time. I am truly a closet nutcase I usually have my head in the gutter

I think it also depends on where you are, in terms of how up to date your doc is. When I lived in NYC, my doctor prescribed when I travelled. Now that I live Upstate it's not quite so common, so primary care doctors always refer to a travel clinic that specializes. I've gotten used to the change, although the travel clinic sure is slow and their records aren't the best either. I guess that folks up here don't travel to "exotic" locales much.






not the thing about your head being in the gutter....just about life being too stressful.

Laughter does a body good ........

Listen, I'll bring the paper products to the intervention. (I specialize in paper products when there's a party goin' on --- I mean intervention) Someone bring the red bull, this might be an all nighter.

Ok...but I think we may have that in common too...

We all have a little naughty in us

When I went to my doctor, he went straight to the CDC website and printed out all the info I needed to know about possible diseases that can be contracted in Ghana and the surrounding areas. He also asked me if Ghana was the only place in Africa I planned to visit during my travels and if it was a direct flight and if not what country would the lay over be and for how long would I be there.

It is very important to look up this info on your own as well as tell your doctor about all the places you may go within and outside the country you are visiting. There may be different risks in the same country depending on locale.


Very good advice. The CDC website is where travel clinics get their current information.

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travel/index.htm

Sorry, you just make yourself vulnerable to it. I can't resist.




I always call this place....As VJ Turns. It could definately be a soap opera.




Uhhh, correction....YOU have naughty in you. Don't try to bring sweet, innocent Zainab down in the gutters with you.

Zainab? Innocent?

LOL, sorry Zainab. I tried to defend you, but I see we have too many haters and character assassinators running around here.

THANK YOU ZEE!!!!!

At least some one here is willing to be honest!!!!

How much were you paid to say that?

Zee, we are gonna have to meet LL at 3 o'clock outside by the park!!!!

That's cool with me. I hope you can take it like a man. Be ready to get mollywhopped.

You haven't seen me in action.

I am a dirty fighter

whatever:rolleyes:

I keep tellin' ya'll!

You are going to need , LL

....Here comes Zee

Everybody was kung Fu Fighting....

Beware the quiet ones

Booo, whatever, I'll see ya'll at 3 'oclock for a hefty game of dodge ball. Be there or be square.

Oooooh...dodge ball

We have hijacked Omoba's poor thread to death. We need to move this to the cafe.

Sorry Omoba!

Yes LL once again you have lead us

*ahem* actually, this was the accused post that took us off topic. Notice how it says "ASANTE MAROON" in the quote.

Malaria, dodge ball and mixers .......just like chocolate and alcohol

All I know is I didn't start it....peer pressure

.... ....Sorry, Omoba

In the words of my grandmother "You will send me to jail" and watch from the side lines
You could use a dose of Mefloquine!!!

I'm cool. I hate vivid dreams.

Ahem....

I would like to say that I agree that malaria is a very serious condition in many areas in sub-saharan africa and that it is our personal responsibility to insure that we contain this epidemic and do not transpose the possibilities of infection to our compatriots within american borders. I support the use of mood enhancing malaria preventive medications for all citizens travelling within these regions on a weekly basis unless they are not travelling within these regions wherein they should probably be redirected to our intervention scheduled at Asante's place in NYC. Everyone should bring a dish as paper products will abound.

Thank you for your support. Did I get it back on track Omoba?

Z