Anyone in a malarial area with small kids?

[CaptWingoBings]

Possibility of a job for DH in a malarial area. Not very malarial but cases have been known. We have two DC under 5 and are trying for a third. Would you rule it out completely? Do you medicate small children as a prophylaxis? We have previously lived in a very malarial area but that was pre DC.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

We were asked to go to Angola when I was pg and dd1 was 3. She could have had anti malarials but I couldn't,neither could a newborn, so we took medical advice and didn't go. I think it depends on what strain of malaria is most prevalent and what the most up to date travel and medical advice for that particular region is. Also what the job is and how important it is to your dh and family.

[fatowl]

I live in KL which is not malarial but there is a problem with Dengue fever, which is also mosquito borne.

Mosquito management is the best you can do tbh, no standing water, keeping the drains clear, regular fogging etc.

If you say "not very malarial but cases been known, I assume you mean a country like Malaysia where there is no malaria in the cities but known in some remote areas.

[partialderivative]

Having had malaria and nearly died from it when living in N. Nigeria, I would probably steer well clear of any area that it is known to be endemic.

Keeping a 24 hr vigil against mozzies is achievable, but very demanding, and you have to wonder how many chemicals your DC are consuming.

[CaptWingoBings]

Mmm, after a neighbour's child died from malaria when we were living in an endemic area we said similar. However it's hard to work out the risk in this situation.

[Inthesleeplessnightgarden]

I live in a very malarial area with 2 DCs aged 1 and 3. DS 1 takes paediatric malarone ( though not 100% reliably, not easy to get a 2 or 3 yr old to take a tablet daily). Dh and I take anti malarials too. I take Lariam and took it throughout my pregnancy with ds2. DS2 is too little for malarone and stopped sleeping when we gave him Lariam so he doesn't take anything but sleeps under a net, is covered in repellant and doesn't hang around outside at dusk and dawn. So far 3 years in we've all been fine, though it know plenty of oeople who have had it. We are on fever watch - instances where in the UK I would give calpol and watch and wait we head instead straight to the docs for a malaria test.