Malaria

When going to Africa, Malaria pills are recommended. It is not as sure to prevent malaria as an immunization, but it significantly reduces the risk, and is a good precautionary measure.


There is more than one anti-malaria pill available, and they vary somewhat by the strain of malaria in the region you plan to visit. For southern Africa, there are basically two choices: Mefloquine (the cheap one) and Malarone (the expensive one). The main difference is that the expensive one has much less dramatic side-effects.

How much less dramatic? Let me give you an example. Along with the dizziness, headaches, nausea and other regular side-effects listed for Mefloquine, is this little note:

“Some people taking Mefloquine think about killing themselves.”

Yikes! I would hazard to say suicidal tendencies are the main effect of a drug, and preventing malaria a side effect, wouldn’t you?

We bought the expensive ones.