"I am going to Accra-North, Ghana this April. Do I need to take larium for anti-malaria?

Answer 1

Hi Liza,

This answer also depends on the duration of your visit to Accra. Usually, Lariam is started a week before the trip, then once a week while here, then once a week for 3 weeks when back home. If you're here only for the short term, better safe than sorry. It is expensive, so hopefully you've got insurance to cover the cost. Alternatively, use a good mosquito repellant and treated mosquito nets while you are here, and bring back with you a over-the-counter treatment for malaria, typically artesunate, so that if you do display symptoms upon your return, you can take this short duration medicine (typically a pill a day for 3 days) and it will be over with. In Ghana, when symptoms arise (and they look very much like your average flu symptoms), a doctor will first test for malaria. Elsewhere, in the US or UK, unless you've specifically told your doctor you've visited sub-Saharan Africa, they won't even think to test for it. The test is a simple finger prick blood test, and results are typically available in an hour.

Because I live here with my family for over 3 years now, we don't take anti-malarial drugs. Fortunately, only my eldest son has ever come down with malaria, and he was better after a single course of treatment.

Enjoy your trip!

Barb

Answer 2

yes,but i don't know how effective that can be.Some anti-malaria drugs are made not for Africa so they are less effective in Africa.Mosquitoes have grown resistance to lots of anti-malaria drugs.There are lots of anti-malaria drugs you can purchase in Accra.You should rather get a sleep net (mosquito net;you will make a tent with it around your bed).