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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 prophylaxic (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
Lariam:
- Can be used if
using Doxycycline, Malarone, or chloroquine and proguanil as
prevention.
- 2 tablets
followed by 2 tablets 6-8 hours later.
- Side effects
are common at this dosage – nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion -
to counter this take Stemetil (5mg) before each dose.
- Usual contraindications
apply.
Malarone (adult use
only:)
- Effective and
safe, few side effects.
- Take 4 tablets
daily with food for 3 days.
- More expensive.
Qinghausu
derivatives (eg. Cotexin, Arsumox, Antemether):
- Widely
available in Africa and Asia (not yet licensed for treatment in
Australia)
- Effective and
cheap.
- Needs to be
used with doxycycline or lariam to prevent recurrence. Although not
all of them need to be used with doxycycline, some of them may be.
It is expected that the Arthemeter medication, Riamet, which is
taken on its own, will be licenced in Australia by the end of 2002.
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.
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