Malaria vaccine - worth it, or stupidly dangerous?

buzz · Baggage Handler Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 9 18 ants

I've heard so many different opinions on this after traveling to South America... some people are obsessed with getting Malaria medication before going to the jungle or even visiting certain countries.

However, some girls told me some scary stories about people who have gotten deathly ill after taking Malaria drugs and they said its completely unnecessary.

In fact from my understanding it can actually weaken your body and make you more likely to get some disease, or something like this. I've also heard that if you do get Malaria, it never really leaves your system anyway, even if you took meds. Like the meds are mostly just for making your symptoms "lighter" or something.

Please, some experts, comment on this. lol
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paul · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject:

I'm no doctor (well, not the right kind at least...) and I would have thought if you're going to a malarial region that it'd be stupid not to take anti-malarial medication. Depending on what figures you take, somewhere in the region of one to two million people die from malaria each year.
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buzz · Baggage Handler Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 9 18 ants

briggl · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:15 pm Post subject:

jhunter · Chief Steward Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 158 177 ants

I don't think there is a vaccine for malaria yet. Are you talking about a clinical trial for a new drug?

I took the preventive drugs for a three day visit to an area with relatively low incidence of malaria during the dry season. I don't remember the name, but I can look up my records, if you're interested. (No ill effects, by the way)

The only reason I could see for concern is if there are lots of counterfeit drugs in your area. I have doubts about the education or intelligence who would recommend against the drugs, otherwise.

I am not a physician, so don't take my word for this:

Vaccines works by exposing your immune system to the parts of the bug that trigger the immune response, so your system responds faster and better if you're exposed to the actual bug.

Your immune response has some unpleasant side-effects - do you have allergies? The watery eyes, clogged sinuses, and runny nose are immune response.

So, yes, a vaccine can make you sluggish and achy and run-down.

No drug is 100 % safe and effective; most drugs have side effects. You balance probable benefit against possible problems. Just like every other decision in life. Malaria would be a very bad problem.

balivillas · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:12 am Post subject:

Well, I would rather choose vaccination than taking the risk of getting infected when you're there and physicians might find difficult for you to find cure. Besides, there were a lot of cases already about people having infected with lethal malaria in Africa.
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carrental8france · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 8:50 am Post subject:

I would also suggest yo to take up vaccine... Why should take up a risk?? If you already know that many people get infected by malaria...
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briggl · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject:

There is no vaccine, just some drugs you can take before you go and while you are there that will help reduce the chance of getting malaria.

Here is some information from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

aimhigh · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:27 pm Post subject:

The most I'm scared is mosquito, because am about to die when I got dengue last 1997. They are so small but they are deadly. Way back 2005 they assigned me in Maumere Indonesia for some mission but I declined it because they said once you got a malaria, there's no cure and you'll have it the rest of your life. Therefore, If I were you, you rather take the vaccination.
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CBurchell · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:29 pm Post subject:

Anti-Malaria medication just like any precautionary drug does pose some danger to people who are highly sensitive or has an allergic reaction to it. If you are traveling to an area were there are known cases of malaria outbreak, It is only necessary that you take some precaution. Ive heard that there is already a vaccine for this. Maybe that is a better option than the drugs.
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briggl · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject:

Once again, there is still NO vaccine yet available for Malaria.
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CBurchell · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject:

What about the news that I heard that a Malaria vaccine is being developed? Does anyone know when that will be available? or who is developing it?
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