A lot can be added to the malaria thread and it is probably all important
to varying degrees. Malaria is no joke. It's serious. I think that I get
good travel medicine advice -- perhaps sometimes a little overcautious
-- but good.

One of the most important things that I have been told is Larium is good.
But not for all people. Just like any medication, OK for some and not OK
for others. There is usually a pre-travel dose regimen set up (I am not a
doctor and only speak from personal experience with the understanding each
should consult their own health provider). With some of the possible side
effects -- mood swings, hallucinations,etc -- this pre-travel regimen is
excellent because you are among folks that know you and recognize any
possible problems. Once you join a new group of folks at your destination,
there is no comparison because everyone thinks you always act the way you
do when they meet you. Even with prophyllaxis; DEET, sleeping nets and any
method of avoiding bites, etc, etc still apply. Just part of the price we
pay to chase birds!!

Also, as has been mentioned, there are resistant strains and different
resulting prophyllaxis for different countries. Most travel medicine
accesses the CDC which
is excellent but conservative.

Additionally, using the State Department to look at travel restrictions is
suggested but safe countries have problems and problem countries can be
safe. We birded the Santa Marta Mountains of Colombia and had not problems
at all but other areas can be iffy!

As a side note, anyone planning high altitude birding (Andes, Himalayas,
etc) should also consider discussing what to do for altitude sickness.

Bob
Federal Way, WA
taylorrt at foxinternet.net

----------
> From: Mike Patterson <mpatters at orednet.org>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: (Fwd) Malaria prevention -Reply
> Date: Friday, January 02, 1998 6:36 PM
>
>
>
> Speaking as someone who nearly died of malaria, I feel obliged to state
> firmly that this is not a diseases to get all herbal about.
>