|
Self-treatment
should be considered for travellers who will be in remote areas for
extended periods, especially when:
- medical
attention may not be readily available
- using a less
effective prophylactic (preventative) medication, or none at all
Travellers carrying
emergency self-treatment medication need to be clear on the symptoms of
malaria* and how to take the prescribed self-treatment medication. (*If
malaria is suspected, a malaria testing kit may be used for
confirmation.)
Following emergency self-treatment, it is important that supervised
medical treatment begin as soon as possible after infection is confirmed.
Microscopic examination should be used to exclude other infections.
Treatment Options
.
Malarone: (adult
use only)
- Effective and
safe, few side effects.
- Take 4 tablets
daily with food for 3 days.
- More expensive.
Riamet: (adults over 35kg)
·
Six
doses over 60 hours (total 24 tabs). For individual dosage details,
an additional information sheet will be issued to each traveller.
Qing Hausu
derivatives: (e.g. Cotexin, Arsumox, Artemether)
- Widely
available in Africa and Asia
- Effective and
cheap.
- Used with
doxycycline or mefloquine to prevent recurrence.
- Best used in a
clinical setting.
More information on this and other anti-malaria medication options is
available during your pre-travel consultation with Travelvax. Call 1300
360 164 for the location of the clinic nearest to you.
|