Thanks for all the kind words. I really appreciate it.

I was taking Malarone. Maybe I didn't start it soon enough and didn't have a build up of medicine in my system and got bitten the first day, or, there is a resistant strain.

I'll never know.

The time from the initial malaria infection until symptoms appear (incubation period) generally ranges from 7 to 14 days for Plasmodium (P.) falciparum. I got sick on day 11 of the hunt.

Artusinate (sp?) was the life saving drug given to me in camp. Arinet was the brand name. It is not available in the US.

I have posted a few times about how much I hate Larium. I do not tolerate it well at all. One of the medicines I received in the ICU here was a one time dose of 1250 mg of Larium. (A weekly dose is only 250 mg.) That is 5 pills. Yes, I was loopy and a bit emotional.

There are four strains of Malaria. Falciparum is the serious mean one. The others are serious, but not life threatening.

Infection with P. falciparum
P. falciparum is found mostly in the tropics and subtropics (near the equator).
Infection with P. falciparum can lead to life-threatening complications after the first few days.
P. falciparum is often resistant to the most common antimalarial medication (chloroquine) and needs to be treated with other medications.

Infection with P. vivax, P. malariae, or P. ovale
P. vivax and P. malariae occur all over the tropical regions of the world. P. ovale is found in western Africa.
Infection with any of these three types of malaria usually is not life-threatening, and a person may recover in a month without treatment.
P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale generally are not as medication-resistant as P. falciparum.
P. vivax and P. ovale may stay in the liver, requiring further medication treatment to prevent relapses.

Wendell,

Glad to have you among the living! Sorry to hear about this mishap, but glad to have a happy ending. Thanks for the info on Medjet. Hugh

JUst when you start thinking, " why is everyone being so anal about the details" you get a jolt like this. Get well so we can talk business soon.

Dulcinea

Wendell,
Thanks God you are back and healty.
Just want to ask you two questions:

Exactly when you started to take Malarone? you say a little late but how many days before?

The other question is what medication your PH give you at the camp that saved your life?

Sorry to bother you with questions but I think that knowing them can keep us in the safe side.

Take care
Lorenzo

Awfully good to hear you're making a recovery. Hats off to your PH who saved your life.

JPK

quote:

I was taking Malarone. Maybe I didn't start it soon enough and didn't have a build up of medicine in my system and got bitten the first day, or, there is a resistant strain.

I'll never know.

Thanks for the reply, Wendell. My wife and I do tolerate Larium very nicely with no side effects. I guess we are the lucky ones in more ways than one. I did my research on the various strains of malaria. It is one disease among several that contribute to the mosquito's standing as the deadliest animal on earth.

We wish you a speedy return to whatever normal is for you (LOL). I am sure that since you have gone through this horror story, your outlook on life has been modified somewhat. Life is never so important to one as when it is nearly taken away.

To those who think it unimportant to take malaria prophylactic medication, let Wendell's experience be an object lesson for you. I know it will make me very sure to follow the regimen on my next trip. I am not rolling the dice on something like this.

Best wishes,
George

Jeez Wendell what a unfortunate thing to happen. Hope you will heal up by January as we have things to do. Sorry this happened to you. Keep your chin up. If there is anything any of us can do, just let us know. Ray has considered offering to convert your PF Remington to CRF.

See ya in Dallas! John

Just a reminder! Just because you take Malarone, Larium, Doxy does not guarentee you won't catch malaria. They certainly help but not one is a catch all preventative.

Perhaps Wendell faired "better" as well because he was taking his Malarone as directed. The other meds he was given may well have tipped the bucket in his favor but he still might have died had he not been taking a preventatve all along. A good question for doctors who would know.

Tropical disease are not worth brushing off, take them all seriously. Another recommendation for MedJet from me as well. Some areas offer a bush flight service (like MARS in Zim) in case you are ill/injured at a location a long way from town. Buy that one too.

Wendell- Even with what you have gone through you are lucky you got the meds when it counted. All the best to a speedy and complete recovery. I guess the most dangerous animal in Africa is........

Wendell; Best luck with your recovery. YOu will be in our thoughts until you are back in Africa hunting again. D. Nelson

Man, that's enough to have me thinking a bit. I'd almost rather getting shot at on the streets or in a battle rather than trying to take on a tropical disease. If somebody is attacking you, you can respond in kind. With a disease, you're at God's mercy and the people around you being on top of things. You're a very lucky dude with the PH in camp giving you the right meds. Have a nice recovery.

Sorry to hear you were knocked down a bit and real glad that you made it through!

Some folks may be shocked at what I'm going to say but since you and I know each other, I know I can get away with it and will probably make you smile . . .

So what critters did you get before the malaria got you?

C'mon . . . there ARE priorities in life!!

Really glad you're OK.

JDS

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
Just a reminder! Just because you take Malarone, Larium, Doxy does not guarentee you won't catch malaria. They certainly help but not one is a catch all preventative.

This is what I meant in my post. No preventative malarial treatment is 100% effective but why take the chance when getting hit might be very serious and the chances are higher without it. I was sure Wendel would have been taking something appropriate.

godspeed on your recovery - but you sure know how to scare the hell out of a guy.

Wendell

Best wishes for a rapid recovery. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. What a frightening story.

TerryR

Wendell,

Thank God you are on the up side. What a scare and a serious reminder to all of us to take our meds and to keep our travel and medical insurance up to date. I hope you recover quickly my friend and have no lasting effects, which as a tough old Texan I am certain you will.

Perry

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Your story has convinced me to re-up my Medjet policy, even though I'm not going to Africa for a year or two. My fishing trip to Alaska next week will be much more comfortable knowing I'm covered.

Glad to hear you're feeling better and thanks for the detailed report.


Note to self:
Don't catch that shit...

quote:

Originally posted by jds:
Some folks may be shocked at what I'm going to say but since you and I know each other, I know I can get away with it and will probably make you smile . . .

So what critters did you get before the malaria got you?

C'mon . . . there ARE priorities in life!!
JDS

Leave it up to you to bring up the important things. After all if it weren't for the animals, it would just be a long walk in Tse-tse fly country!

Yes, I did manage to shoot 2 Buffalo, Waterbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Common Reedbuck and a Hartebeest before the mosquito got me.

I wanted a Roan, a Hyena and was strongly considering a Hippo. If a bigger Buffalo was to be found, he would have died too (had 3 on license).

I am going to post a report soon. I feel more like a human today than I have since this started!

Wendell,

Cerebral Malaria is certainly no joking matter, and kills people daily in africa. It's a good thing your PH had an alternative cure, as it doesn't help to use the same medication as a cure, that you are using as a prophylactic.

I'm glad to see that you're getting better, and hope your fit and strong soon!

Sounds like you got a little hunting in before you got sidelined. Looking forward to details and pictures in the fullness of time.

Wendell glad you made it back alright!

Hope you make a fast and full recovery!

Wendell,
You cheated Africa's most dangerous animal - the mosquito. I'm really glad to hear that you're doing better and hope to hear only positive progress reports.

I hope everyone here now appreciates what medevac insurance can do for you when you really need it.

All the best,
Forrest

I just thought this might be of interest. My wife was reading an article about malaria, and it stated very clearly that there is no malaria in South Africa. Just thought you might like to know.

I think, regardless of what they say, I might still take my malaria prophylaxis if I go there again.

Wendell,
I know it's expensive to fly First Class and you and I are big boys and don't do well in Economy but this is taking it a bit far, my friend! Glad you're feeling well and escaped the jaws of (or should I say probiscus) of death! Serious stuff that!

bwanamrm,

I think I wouold rather ride in the wheelwell of the landing gear and feel healthy than have to ride first class feeling like I did.

Doing well. Getting stronger and recovering nicely.

Thanks for all the posts, e-mails and phone calls.

quote:

Originally posted by patrkyhntr:
I just thought this might be of interest. My wife was reading an article about malaria, and it stated very clearly that there is no malaria in South Africa. Just thought you might like to know.

I think, regardless of what they say, I might still take my malaria prophylaxis if I go there again.

That's not what this site says Malaria in RSA

Regards,

Terry

I am sure the CDC would disagree as well!

quote:

Originally posted by T.Carr:

quote:

Originally posted by patrkyhntr:
I just thought this might be of interest. My wife was reading an article about malaria, and it stated very clearly that there is no malaria in South Africa. Just thought you might like to know.

I think, regardless of what they say, I might still take my malaria prophylaxis if I go there again.

That's not what this site says Malaria in RSA

Regards,

Terry

Terry and others. I know very well what the CDC's website and others say. I was just poking some fun at the drivel you often hear from the talking heads on TV. Too many people get malaria, and too many die from it. This is true especially in the area around Kruger park and the east coast, which area is outlined in the map posted by Wendell.
Forewarned is forearmed, and I guarantee you that if and when I return to Africa, I will be taking my larium (I get no side effects from it).

patrkyhntr,

I understood your post. I knew where you were going with it. I just wanted to make sure nobody misunderstood and thought to themselves, "Great, I don't have to take anti-mailaria pills in SA!"

I'll go one step farther, Wendell. I will not go back to Africa without a supply of antibiotics to combat tick borne illness. That was my "going away present" from RSA this past May. Tick bite fever is certainly not nearly as deadly as malaria, but it is a tad inconvenient.
Cheers

I wish You a fast recovery Wendel.

I happen to have a diplom in Parasitology.*

Plasmodium falciparum, the worst of the 4 agents is also the most demanding concerning temperature.
The P falciparum reproduction cycle can occur only if the temperature is over 25°C (77° F). In any country where the temperature climbs over 25°C (77°F) one can theoritically find (and catch) malaria. In the beginning of the 20th century this malaria ("4 phases fever") existed even in Europe, in summer only. It occurs yet around the airports.

No one can guarantee there would be no malaria in a place where the mozzies can have puddles to lay their eggs, where the temperature is over 25°C and where ,even remotely, a couple of "sane" guys are harboring Plasmodium in their blood.

Nivaquine is better than nothing.
Lariam is one of the best medication, if tolerated. If not, a bitherapy is a wise choice.

patrkyhntr,

That seems to be a bit more common than malaria. I have met a few people who have had their hunt ruined by tick bite fever. My ph told me when I was ill that this drug will also cure tick bite fever.

jbderunz, what do you know about that? Is that correct. the drug was Arinet (artisunate(sp?))

Is tick bite fever a parasite?

It is funny, I know another AR member who has a masters in Parasitology.

Who says you can't get your questions answered here?!

The tick bite fever I had was caused by the parasite belonging to the class of bacteria called Ricketsiae. The medical dictionary has this to say:
A typhuslike fever of South Africa caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, and usually characterized by primary eschar and regional adenitis, stiffness, and maculopapular rash on the fifth day, often with severe symptoms of the central nervous system.

What I got started with a very itchy spot on my ankle. I assume this was one of those smallish ticks some have referred to as "pepperseed ticks." I also had several other itchy spots at various locations about my body, but this one at the ankle became very sore, developed a black center, and was accompanied by a low-grade fever and chills. I felt lousy for several days. On the way home in the SAA cattle car, we were lucky in that the plane was not nearly full and I was in a row of seats where I could lie down. When I got home, my doctor (I refer to him as my veterinarian) had no idea what I had. I told him to look up tick borne diseases, and he did find tick bite fever. He treated my condition with antibiotics. I got better very quickly.

Ricketsial diseases are quite nasty. One such we have endemically in the USA is lyme disease. We are treating a horse for it now. I have no idea why I haven't contracted lyme disease yet. I have ticks on me nearly every time I come out of the woods during our spring turkey season, and fall archery season is sometimes just as bad.

Other ricketsial diseases include typhus and rocky mountain spotted fever.

What antibiotic did your "vet" give you to cure it?

.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
What antibiotic did your "vet" give you to cure it?

Wendell, it is one I didn't recognize. Cipro something? After it was all over, and after doing some reading (on these boards) from others who have had the same thing, I understand doxycycline would have done as well for half the cost. No matter. The stuff worked.

We are currently treating the horse for Lyme disease with a commercially available antibiotic. It is a combination of penicillin and some other antibiotic (combiotic).

Some more information you really didn't need about Lyme disease. My buddy Killer's (not his real name) dog got it. They couldn't figure out why the dog couldn't walk, so they took her to the vet (not the same one I use for my medical needs). He puzzled over it for a few days, and then ordered a blood test. Sure enough, Lyme disease. Nicki (the dog) is doing fine now, and Killer is back to taking her for long walks in the mountains.

People tend to concentrate on the human aspect of Lyme disease, but our animals can get it too.

There is a new doctor in the office. He has spent some time in Africa, and knows a whole lot more about the endemic diseases of which Alf has knowledge. He tells me Africa is a parisitologist's dream. What a study area it is. So many exotic parasites. So little time. Personally, I loved my parasitology courses, but can find other things to float my boat. Now, hunting, for example------

I rafted the Zambezi in '94. One of the guys who was in my boat got a papasite in his leg. He almost lost his leg was the story that reached me.

I take a couple courses of Cipro with me. I had two occasionas on this hunt where I needed it. It is a good drug. I know many others here also take some just in case.

Quoting Wendell : « It is funny, I know another AR member who has a masters in Parasitology.†No wonder Wendell, it’s a basic bloke who sits on his arse like anybody.

Aralen : Chloroquine Phosphate 150mg/tab.



That was Aralen, I think. To cure a malaria crisis 1 tab/6kg in 3 days as long as Chloroquine is efficient on this Pl. falciparum strain? little chance IMO.

The malaria is killing 1 million people every year. It has to be the most serious thing to consider when hunting in Africa, malaria being by far the first white hunters’ slayer.

Tick fever is another story.

There is lots of tick fevers. Most are caused by Ricketsiae (bacteriae) and Cyclins are often efficient.
Note the ticks are transmitting other bacteriae such as Lyme desease’s Borrelias and Virus too, they are called ARBOVIRUS ( ARthropod (bug) BOrne Virus).

Tick fevers are ubiquitous but more known and depicted in the States of A for the only reason that the States are the more diagnostics capable country.

CIPROFLOXACINE is an all purpose efficient antibiotics. It’s a great help with the Montezuma revenge (gastro-enteridis). Tacke care no antibiotics is active on all the bugs.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:

Artusinate (sp?) was the life saving drug given to me in camp. Arinet was the brand name. It is not available in the US.

After a bit of googling, 'Arinate', active ingredient Artesunate, looks a likely candidate for what Wendell was given. See this Manufacturers page for detail. It's stated to be available in Tanzania.

This stuff is in the Artemisinin drug group, and is compatible with any of the malaria preventive drugs.

Oil industry companies often operate in malarial areas, and as you'd expect, take it very seriously indeed. In fact, agreement to malaria prophylaxis is a condition of employment in those areas. There are some falciparum areas around the Pacific too, as well as India, for example. And some in South America.

Had a browse around the global intranet of an oil major, and they actually issue a 'Malaria Survival Kit' [called just that] to employees going to P. falciparum areas. It's a prescription item, and contains 3 blood test kits [specific for falciparum], and a course of Coartem/Riamet tablets that lasts 3 days. Plus self-medication and physician info sheets. This medication is also in the artemisinin group.

Further info on these kits at http://www.smiequip.com or here for a direct link to the kit.

They supply at least two major oil industry companies with these, but I don't know of any retail suppliers. For orders of 100 [normal min. order qty], the kit price is around 65 Euro. Shelf life is 1 year.