Malaria Tablets and just pregnant

[GirliePeg]

Hi, just found out that im pregnant, 4/5 weeks and in 4 weeks time I have a holiday to South Africa on Safari booked.
I was to take Malarone tablets, but have been looking on the net and find out that they cannot be taken before 16 weeks.
Does anyone know of any other Malaria tablets that are safe to take in early pregnacy as I really do not want to cancel the holiday.
I would be grateful of any advice. TQ

After a very swift google it looks like there are none but perhaps someone should be around who knows better.

I just wanted to say, the best and most effective part of prevention is and always has been good cover up. You should be able to carry on with your holiday if you are very careful about long sleeves (with cuffs) long cotton trousers (with cuffs) and lots of spray. MOSBITO are great patches which you stick on your clothes, which can help around the neck and face area which are obviously more difficult to cover.

But be careful none of your sprays or creams contain DEET, which is toxic. Use of sprays, nets, coils, being careful about when you are outdoors, all are terribly important. The malaria mossy is an evening bug so at least you know when to watch out.

I hope you go and I hope you have a lovely time. Why not check on the internet malaria cases in the area you are traveling to? You may be reassured!

In my experience, there are none that are safe in the first trimester. Where are you going to in SA because many of the reserves are malaria free zones, have you double checked?

All three of my pregnancies have happened whilst living in malarial areas, without taking any anti malarials and not having had any malaria scares. Admittedly I would have had an element of immunity that you won't have to help in your protection. Stuffit's advice is excellent. Cover up from dusk to dawn, including socks. Parasite carrying mosquitoes are most prevalent between the hours of 9pm and 4/5am. Sleep under a bednet and spray the room first with insecticide. Use repellant, we use Mosiguard which you can get from www.travelpharm.co.uk. In addition you can get mosquito coil/plug ins that you can put in the room at night. If you are sleeping in air conditioned rooms then mossies are rarely a risk as the cold makes them too dozy to move much.

Do go and enjoy.

I took malaria tablets when I was pregnant. There are two that are safe but they may not be appropriate for where you are going. That changes on a regular basis for some places.

Malaria in pregnancy would be a potential disaster . If the place you are going has Falciparum malaria and you can't get safe TABLET coverage I wouldn't go. Mosquitos are very wiley adn will get you whatever you do IME.

Where are you going in SA?

Wobbly I think you are being quite dramatic!

There are three antimalarials recommended for sub saharan Africa. The most effective anti malarial against Plasmodium Falciparum is Malarone. In South Africa the greatest malaria risk is Falciparum. Due to the lack of research it is not known what effects Malarone would have on pregnancy in the first trimester, therefore it is contra indicated. Larium/mefloquine too can be taken during pregnancy but is also advised against being taken in the first trimester. Doxcycline is the third option but is a tetracycline antibiotic and not therefore recommended during the first trimester

Maloprim/Deltaprim has been used in the past as a prophylaxis for pregnant women, but as far as I am aware, there is increased reistance to it therefore it is no longer considered terribly effective.

Hope that helps, at the end of the day only you and your dh can decide what is the best course of action to take.

Have seen and treated Falciprum malaria. It CAN be a dramatic disease! I have seen many people come a cropper thinking that they don't need protection.
I said that I had taken malarial tablets but I went somewhere else where there was no falciparum.

I dont' think it is dramatic to express a personal opinion that if I were going to a Falciparum area and couldn't take tablets that I wouldn't go.

I think someone is taking an unnecessary risk if they are going to a falciparum area without coverage. I always get bitten wherever I go and know there is nothing I can do to stop this.

Hi,

I have the same problem.

We booked a trip to Goa and I have discovered that I am pregnant (3 weeeks).

Are there any malaria tablets that I can safely take? Is Goa a risk area?

Help - I fly on boxing day!

Where are you staying in Goa?

I've just got back and not many mozzies biting at the moment and I do tend to be the miners canary for the rest of my party!

I didn't take anti malarials the last time I was in Western India, but was advised to this time.

If you don't want to take anti malarials your best bet is to avoid getting bitten at all - dusk is the worst time for biters in Goa. You should cover up completely at night and sleep under a net. If you're staying in a hotel, keep the bathroom window closed at all times. Avon Skin So Soft woodland (the greeny blue one) plastered all over is a good barrier. You should probably avoid Deet during pregnancy.

I don't think Wobbly is being dramatic. There have been quite a few cases of dengue and chikungunya this year in Goa and I believe think there is both falciparum and vivax malaria so you should probably take some medical advice before you go.