May 01, 2006
Update 16: Is the malaria medicine really necessary?
To prevent malaria, we are taking a medication called Larium. But do we need
to take the medication if there are little or no cases of malaria in the entire
region where we are traveling?
Travelers going to tropical areas are always advised to take malaria medication.
Malaria is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes. A person contracts malaria
if they are bitten by a mosquito that bit a person with malaria.
According to the Director of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, there are
so few cases of malaria in this region, that taking medicine is not necessary.
If the malaria medicine were giving me no side effects, I would have no problem
taking it. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The medicine directly affects
the nervous system, and in my case, is causing nightmares and lots of anxiety.
I wake up with an anxious feeling in my stomach, and sometimes I go to bed with
the same feeling. My body and mind feel a strange and unfamiliar nervousness
most of the time. Additionally, the medicine affects my skin, causing a rash
on my face.
Is it worth it? I want to fully enjoy my experience in the rainforest. If malaria
isn't even in this area, should I really be putting myself through the discomfort
of the medicine?
What do you think about this dilemma?
Anna
If you think the side effects are worse than getting malaria, you should stop taking the medicine. If you think getting malaria is worse than the side effects, don't stop taking the medicine.
Posted by: ahrens at May 1, 2006 08:10 AM
I think it is worth getting because if you get malaria you could get very ill and mabey even die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Elder at May 1, 2006 11:46 AM
yes, malaria medicine is nessisary because if you get sick, you said it yourself, there isn't just a hospital down the road where they can treat you! Me and my class think that malaria medicine is nessisary because you don't to be in pain for the next few months that you are in Peru.
Posted by: elder at May 1, 2006 11:51 AM
Yes because someone else in the area could have this desease.
Posted by: Mr.Elder at May 1, 2006 11:56 AM
DONT TAKE THE MEDICINE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SCARED ABOUT TAKING IT AND TAKING A CHANCE THAT YOU WILL REGRET!
Posted by: Mr. Elder at May 1, 2006 11:56 AM
Posted by: Mr.Elder at May 1, 2006 12:00 PM
If the disease isn't really existant in the area, it's not worth it to have all the problems you'd have. So don't take it.
Posted by: Miss Carroll at May 1, 2006 01:11 PM
My third graders would rather that you be safe than sorry! The effects of the medicine are probably not as bad as getting malaria, so you should keep taking it. Since the trip is almost over, you won't have to take it much longer.
Posted by: Mrs. Doxstader at May 1, 2006 01:12 PM
I would still make sure that it is safe and take the medicine so I don't catch malaria. I wouldn't take the risk of getting sick on the trip to Peru.
Posted by: Miss Carroll at May 1, 2006 01:14 PM
Hi this is Mrs. Hagstroms homeroom in Mrs. Robinsons science class. We think that you should keep taking the medicine. Better safe then sorry. Because you are only in the rainforest for a few more days, we thought you would be a lot happier healthy. Having malaria is a lot worse then a rash. If your side affects are REALLY bothering you, maybe try cutting down or not taking your medicine not as often.
Stay healthy!
Posted by: Mrs. Robinson at May 1, 2006 01:21 PM
Better safe than sorry (Daniel). Still take the meds because what if there is a mosquito (Christine). Only take the medecine if there are alot of mos. in the area (Claire). Stop taking it becuase nightmares and lack of sleep is dangerous too (Kate. M.) Start to take the med. if you feel symptoms of malaria.
Posted by: Mrs. Spohnholtz at May 1, 2006 02:09 PM
Fifth grade HAWK students think you should get to enjoy your time in the rain forest. But we also want you to be safe. We are concerned about your well-being. You need to weigh the effects of the medication against the risk and dangers of malaria. If you trust the officials who are telling you that there is no risk of malaria, then "go for it dude!", and stop taking the medicine. Have a great time on the remainder of your trip!
Posted by: Miss Linnea Gustafson at May 1, 2006 02:56 PM
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