i suspect i'll look not unlike a mangy dog

Quite unexpectedly, I'm going to Haiti -- HAITI! -- on business next week. I can't really give you details (yet), because I can't quite believe it myself, but suffice to say that I'll be doing something I've never done before, and I'll be doing it on camera.

That sounds sort of dirty, doesn't it? I assure you that even though I'm wildly excited about the opportunity, there's nothing unseemly about what I'll be doing.

Anyway, my employer has required that I take anti-malarial medication as a prerequisite for going on this trip. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive when I heard this. You see, I've taken anti-malarial medicine before for a trip to Nigeria, and if memory serves, the drug I took, Malarone, had the unfortunate side effect of diarrhea. Still, I remember considering myself lucky: most of my coworkers had taken Lariam, resulting in some becoming really depressed, a few having freakish nightmares, and at least one who repeatedly dreamed of killing his wife. So, you know, an irritable bowel seemed hardly anything to complain about.

It turns out that there are different anti-malarial medications which are prescribed, depending on what part of the world you're visiting, since there are different strains of malaria. (Who knew?) After much to-ing and fro-ing with the health authority, I finally received my prescription today, and as of this evening, I've taken my first dose.

The good news? It's not Lariam. It's not even Malarone. It's something called Avloclor.

The bad news? Well, according to Dr. Google, the following are the possible side effects:

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Headache

Skin rashes

Itching (pruritus)

Low blood pressure (hypotension), this might make you feel dizzy

Visual disturbances

Loss of hair colour

Hair loss (alopecia)

Fits (convulsions)

Disturbance in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood

Damage to the retina of the eye (long-term use)

Discolouration of skin, nails, or mucous membranes, eg inside of mouth

Hearing distubances, eg ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss

Anxiety, confusion, hallucinations or strange or abnormal thoughts

Weakening of muscles

Weakening of the heart muscle (long-term use at high doses)

Changes in the electrical signals in the heart (seen on an ECG)

Liver disorders

NICE. Almost makes you want to risk malaria, doesn't it?

Anyway, all this to say: if, in the coming months, you stumble across a video of me with patchy bald spots, apparently blind and definitely scratching, you'll know why. Be kind.

__________

Comments

[mela]

ughh, i hate to read those instruction leaflets with the side effects. when i read them, all of a sudden i don't feel sick anymore ;o)
how long are you going to stay in haiti???
have a save trip!

[bek]

Aghhhhhhhhh.

I took Malarone when I was in Lesthoto last summer and every night I dreams that I was being attacked......... it was awful. But, I have also had malaria and that is worse. Trust me.

I know you don't talk about what you do...but I am trying to figure out what you will be doing in Haiti ON CAMERA????

Good luck with the medication and safe travels.

[mariella]

Hi Karen.
You are too funny. I love your blog. I visit daily. I've left messages here before too. Regarding the ant-malaria drug: you should ask about Quinine. That too is an anti-malaria drug. It's been around a long, long time. I have to tell you that it can also be used for other things too.... I was prescribed quinine for my Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). For whatever reason, my legs love it and it allows me to get a good night's sleep.

Have a great day....

Mariella

[Jess]

When I travelled in malaria-affected areas in Africa and Central America, the effects of the ant-malaria medications available at the time far exceeded the probability of ever getting infected (but I guess this depends on the area you're travelling in, and I'm not sure about Haiti). I took nothing while in Africa, and used a homeopathic option for the Central America trip (Cinchona officinalis pellets - which is actually a form of quinine that Mariella mentioned above). It either worked or I lucked out!
Hope you have a great trip!

[beck's mommy]

Classic! Diarrhea, loss of hair and hair color. OMG! If I knew that I would be getting those side-effects, I would definitely choose malaria! Good luck.

[Brunsli]

In addition to your Rx, please take a mosquito net and mosquito repellent. These simple things can make a big difference.

Have a great trip, and I look forward to reading about your travels when you return.

[Q]

I hadn't realized that there are several medications for malaria (and the medications are used for many different things). One of those medications is Plaquenil. Its used for Lupus-SLE also. It has its side affects too, so I guess everything is a risk...the medication and the illness its supposed to treat.
Have a great time in Haiti and I hope you enjoy your assignment. Take lots of pictures!

[Staci]

I think I'd rather take my chances with maleria (laughing!)

[Lisa C.]

Isn't there a natural preventative that you could take rather than that nasty drug? It just doesn't sound good for you.

I hope you have a good time.

[Kay]

That was scary. It sure does wanna make you risk malaria.

Have a SAFE and BLESSED trip.

[Anali]

Have a great trip! I hope you don't have any side effects.

I was thinking about all the scary side effects that we read about and wondering what would be bad enough to completely prevent people from taking the medicine? I came up with spontaneous combustion and/or decapitation. So if you look at it this way, well you'll be fine!

[Island Spice]

That must be a fast acting new drug. I've taken ones that u have to take for 2-3 weeks before your trip and up to 6 weeks after.
Enjoy your trip. I've always wanted to go to Haiti. Post lots of photos please. :) Also, DON'T DRINK THE WATER. Nevermind malaria, my friend came back with Typhoid. So take care of u and have a great trip. We await the footage :)

[Georgia/Caribbean Free Radio]

I'm having the opposite experience with the NWRHA, who are trying to *force* malaria pills on me! I had to go to them for a yellow fever shot for my upcoming Global Voices trip to India, and somehow they also put in an order for me to have malaria pills (which I don't need for India and which I will *certainly* not be taking).

They've called me twice to say the pills await me at their offices and refuse to believe me when I say I don't need them. One of these days I'll go and collect them, as you never know when I'll need to slip one into the drink of somebody who's done me wrong. ;)

Have a great time in Haiti!