Useful tips for you on avoiding malaria<\/p>\n
This interactive health column appears in cooperation with the
\nSingapore-based Parkway Group Healthcare. Readers are encouraged
\nto ask questions through features@thejakartapost.com.<\/p>\n
Question:<\/p>\n
Dear Dr. Oon Chong Teik,<\/p>\n
It was with great interest that we read an article about the
\ntreatment of malaria using Artesunate in The Jakarta Post on
\nSept. 13. As the paper encouraged readers to ask questions on the
\nsubject, we would like to present our case with the kind request
\nto have your comments.<\/p>\n
We are a married couple, both 51 years old, from the
\nNetherlands and we are preparing, by taking language training in
\nBandung, to go to Irian Jaya to help with community development.
\nIn the area where we will live, the anophline mosquito is quite
\nactive. In June\/July of this year, we went there for orientation
\nand used Lariam Mefloquine (1 tablet of Lariam per week,
\ncontaining 250 milligrams of mefloquine) to prevent malaria or to
\nreduce the chances of getting it. Lariam is known to have nasty
\nside effects and my wife apparently was badly affected.<\/p>\n
Next month, we plan to return to Irian Jaya for a period of
\nfour years. We will not use Lariam anymore because of the toxic
\nside effects and neither would we like to use quinine for
\nprevention purposes.<\/p>\n
Although your paper seemed to refer to the treatment of
\nmalaria using Artesunate rather than for prevention purposes, we
\nwould be interested to hear from you whether Arteunate could also
\nbe used for prevention? Would that be the case, or should it
\nstill be used in combination with mefloquine, albeit at a lower
\ndosage.<\/p>\n
We have just heard that the leaf of the papaya tree can also
\nbe used in combination with the leaf of the cassava. Do you know
\nanything about this?<\/p>\n
Anyway, would you be able to recommend what to use to prevent
\nmalaria? It is not for the purpose of treatment of the illness
\nbut for prevention only. I would be much obliged to hear your
\ncomments.<\/p>\n
Yours sincerely,<\/p>\n
-- Martin Horstman<\/p>\n
Bandung, West Java<\/p>\n
Answer:<\/p>\n
Dear Mr. Horstman,<\/p>\n
Artesunate should not be used as a prophylaxis, as such use
\nwill encourage the development of drug resistance. It is mainly
\nused for treatment in combination with Lariam at the appropriate
\ndosage. Since you will be back in Irian Jaya for four years, you
\ncould use insect repellents on your skin, permethrin repellent on
\nclothing, etc. Should you have a fever when you are in Irian Jaya
\nand malaria is suspected, blood screening should be done or see
\nif there is an appropriate standby drug for treatment. Papaya and
\ncassava leaves are known in folk medicine and used to treat
\nmalaria, but not all fevers are due to malaria. I am not aware of
\nthe use of papaya and cassava leaves as a malaria prophylaxis,
\nbut I do know that there are many species of cassava and some are
\npoisonous. I would advise you to keep to proven antimalarials.<\/p>\n
-- Dr. Oon Chong Teik<\/p>\n
Question:<\/p>\n
Dear Dr. Chong Teik,<\/p>\n
My 14-year-old son is going camping at Ujung Kulon park. Can I
\nget some good advice? I found your Sept. 13 article on malaria
\nuseful.<\/p>\n
Thank you,<\/p>\n
-- Evans<\/p>\n
Answer:<\/p>\n
Dear Evans,<\/p>\n
Your son is going to Ujung Kulon park for camping in an area
\nwith possible malaria. He is advised to use an insect repellent
\ncontaining DEET on his skin, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants
\nand don't forget a cap to cover the head. Spray Permethrin on
\nclothes, the mosquito net, sheets, etc. No malaria prophylaxis is
\nfoolproof, but should you decide to take one, start it before
\nsetting off on the trip, so you can change drugs should side
\neffects occur. The common drugs are Lariam, Doxycycline and
\nChloroquine. Should fever occur on the trip or on return home, a
\nscreen for malaria should be done.<\/p>\n
-- Dr. Oon Chong Teik<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/useful-tips-for-you-on-avoiding-malaria-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }