Today my husband, I and our 5 yr old got vaccinated for a two week trip to Kenya in March. We are going to Masai Mara and Mombasa. It was obvious that the doctor thought we were not being responsible parents taking our child to Kenya. The doctor himself is an experienced traveller and specialist in vaccination for travellers... so he should know what he's saying. The doctor wants to prescribe Malarone for all of us - any comments?
So now I worry - are we being unresponsible parents???
We are flying with Kenya air (which worries me..) and recently I read following article about ethnic rivals in Kenya and the doctors comment was the dot over the i.
Are any parents that are experienced with travelling with children willing to put my mind into ease?!! We've been on a typical beach resort holiday to the mediterian but this is something totally different....
I'm suprised by your doctor.
From the same age I was travelling all over with my parents ... I had I don't know how many vaccines etc to contend with. My brother was 4 when we first went to Kenya (he's now almost 32!) Yes, we did both get malaria aged 8 and 13 but that was bad luck and we were already taking malaria pills; our parents took us immediately to a doctor and all was OK ...
I don't think that your doctor is being fair, I believe there are less 'killer diseases' around the world now than 20-30 years ago ... I used to have the smallpox vaccine for travelling amongst I don't know how many others.
I'm sure you'll be fine, and for a 5yr old it's the trip of a lifetime at an age when he can appreciate the animals and will remember the trip!
Go for it ...
Kira
Hi
There is no doubt that a malaria area is something you should consider carefully. It is not recommended to take kids under 5 to malaria areas. I am sure many many parents do (we did) and there are probably more who don't.
Malarone is an effective (and expensive in South Africa) drug, and having had our children (youngest 6) on it a few months back, we had no side effects compared to previous medication we have taken. And it more convenient than having to remember to take a pill every day for 4 weeks after you return (some other medications), and definitely better than Larium (the once a week option with not-so-great side effects which was the only effective medication for some areas in Africa 4 years ago).
As far as we know, there have not been clinical trials of Malarone on children. But pharmacies and doctors seem to be prescribing this for kids, over and above the other medicines. (This is a layman's statement, I am not a medical professional!)
My kids have also had yellow fever, cholera, hep A vaccinations, and in fact, our doctor recommended some repeats after we returned to allow a 10-year protection in the case of Hep A. These started at age 2. This is not a routine vaccination set in South Africa, but many kids we know have had these vaccinations for travels in the rest of Africa.
Obviously your travel choice is personal, but if it was me, I would worry most about how to explain the sight of an animal kill to my child. (Thanks to the Lion King for the "Circle of Life" here.)
Have a ball! Hope you go.
Celia
Hi,
Don't worry, - lots of socalled expatriat families living in East Africa with small kids.
We have stayed 2 years in Tanzania without any problems and travelled to Kenya many times.
As long as you get your yellowfever jabs and malarone you will be fine.
I am sure your child will enjoy the trip, lots of wonderful things to see and experience.
And African people love kids, more than your doc anyhow !
Relax and have a good trip.
Fariida
I am surprised by the doctor too. I think a lot more people travel these days and the drugs are getting better and better. Take all the usual precautions and have a great time.
I suppose Doctors are only human and cover the broad spectrum as well...some of us being neurotic Ive noticed over my years of travelling that the minute people realizes that a travellor is a doctor all the sick people turn up for a consolation. So even tho I ve met very very few people who have become seriously ill while travelling a doctor probably sees heaps of sick travellors as well as locals and his slant on heath matters might be biased to the negative. Yes go for it -just be careful.
I'm surprised your doctor wants to prescribe Malarone for your child - unless it is the new strain for younger children. Our doctor & pharmacist both agreed that Larium was a better option for our 9 year old when we went to Kenya a few months ago (neither of us had any side effects btw).
Your child may find the trip to the Mara a bit tiresome if the animals are not "out and about" as can sometimes happen, but if they are, no problem. Make sure he/she has something to keep them occupied, like a book, favourite toy, etc.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm</a><BR><BR>Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.
Malaria Risk by Country -- Kenya: All areas (including game parks) at altitudes lower than 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). No risk in Nairobi.<hr></blockquote><blockquote>Quote
<hr>www.cdc.gov/travel/mal_kids_pub.htm</a><BR><BR>Malaria is a serious illness transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Travelers to Central and South America, Hispaniola, Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, and the Middle East), Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific may be at risk for this potentially deadly disease .
Children of any age can get malaria. All travelers to areas with malaria transmission, including infants, children, and former residents of these areas, should protect themselves from malaria by taking an antimalarial drug and by preventing mosquito bites.
Infants and children traveling to malaria-risk areas in Africa, South America, the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, and the South Pacific should be given one of the following antimalarial drugs:
- atovaquone/proguanil
- doxycycline
- mefloquine
- primaquine (in special circumstances).
- Atovaquone/proguanil (brand name: Malarone™)
Atovaquone/proguanil is a combination of two drugs, atovaquone plus proguanil, in one tablet. It is available in the United States as the brand name, Malarone.
Your child's health care provider will prescribe atovaquone/proguanil based on your child's weight. Note: Atovaquone/proguanil should not be given to infants that weigh less than 25 pounds (11 kilograms).
Directions for Use:
- Give the first dose of atovaquone/proguanil 1 to 2 days before travel to the malaria-risk area.
- Give atovaquone/proguanil once a day during travel in the malaria-risk area.
- Give atovaquone/proguanil once a day for 7 days after leaving the malaria-risk area.
- Give the dose at the same time each day and have your child take the pill after a meal or with milk. Atovaquone/proguanil is better absorbed if taken with food or a milky drink.
Side Effects and Warnings
The most common side effects reported by travelers taking atovaquone/proguanil are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Most people taking this drug do not have side effects serious enough to stop taking it; If your child cannot tolerate atovaquone/proguanil, see their health care provider for a different antimalarial drug.
Travelers Who Should Not Take Atovaquone/proguanil:
- children weighing less than 25 pounds (11 kilograms)
- pregnant women
- women breast-feeding infants weighing less than 25 pounds (11 kilograms)
- patients with severe renal impairment (severe kidney disease)
- patients allergic to atovaquone or proguanil<hr></blockquote>
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