CULP-- Liberia -- Malaria

txpotato

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DS leaves for Liberia in less than ten days. He's been given lots of shots, but little guidance on his mission. Checking the CDC yellow book, Liberia is listed as HIGH for relative risk to US travelers, as malaria is found in all areas. So, should I take him to our doctor here before he leaves and get him started on one of the available anti-malarial drugs or will they provide the cadets with these at Ft. Knox?
 
I would hope/assume that they would give him everything he needs to have a safe & successful trip. I know the was the case when my son when to Guyana. Good luck and congrats to your son. He's going to come back with new friends and memories that will last a lifetime!!
 
I would hope but not assume.

At a minimum, know ALL precautions to take. Mosquitos on different continents are as different as the people, i.e. make sure the repellent is suitable for the Mosquitos in Liberia.

Knowing people who have had Malaria, I wouldn't let my kids go without taking anti-malarials. If DS were to get it, kiss off Fall semester.

I have two family members who got it. Treating it is not like treating a virus or more benign bacterial infection. It's like looking for El Chapo at the molecular level.
 
Your son should have a Point of Contact for his CULP mission, (The mission OIC). I would have your son contact this person to find out what shots they will be given before going to your own doctor. I would imagine it would not be wise to get shots on his own only to have them give the same shots at Knox. They should be able to provide him with a list of what shots they will be given.
 
I talked to my son and he said he took pills daily while in Guyana and then for two add'l weeks after returning.
 
I'm not talking about the shots (he's already gotten all of those). I'm referring to the oral anti-malarial meds like doxycycline or mefloquine. I'll see if he can contact his mission OIC, but since time is running short (most meds have to begin prior to the journey), I'm leaning towards calling our doc in the morning. We had a friend's son get malaria, and as a previous poster mentioned, it was really, really bad.
 
He will get it at Knox. It is mandatory for personnel traveling on behalf of the US govt to take that medicine while in country (and prior/post the trip for certain meds).

Depending on the exact strains of Malaria in country, he'll probably get malarone to take while he's there (they're straying away from the doxy) and primaquin to take after he leaves country. If for absolutely some reason he leaves the US without any, first stop should be the US embassy, they'll have malaria meds there.

No need to worry
 
Yes he should be on Malaria meds. Recommendation is to take probiotics to offset side effects of malaria meds!
 
I used to go Liberia every 6 months for the CG about 30 yrs ago. It sounds about the same from the above posters. The shots had to be 30 days prior to entry and Malaria pills(they were big-we called them horse pills). We had to take them a few weeks prior and 30 days upon returning. I was prohibited to donate blood for sometime. Check-if not pester the medical staff. Know your water drinking source if not provided by US Unit. He'll see people shivering from malaria with wool blankets in 100+ degree heat.

I was there when much unrest- coups were happening. Best of luck to him...
 
DS leaves for Liberia in less than ten days. He's been given lots of shots, but little guidance on his mission. Checking the CDC yellow book, Liberia is listed as HIGH for relative risk to US travelers, as malaria is found in all areas. So, should I take him to our doctor here before he leaves and get him started on one of the available anti-malarial drugs or will they provide the cadets with these at Ft. Knox?
DD is just returning from Hondorus ( not military related) started Malaria pill one week prior to leaving, then every week and 3 weeks after return. Still time to start after he arrives at Knox. Don't worry about HIGH risk, if it wasn't safe the Army would of cancelled, as in DD friend was going to Turkey and that got axed!! Your son is going to have so much fun!! Our older daughter's boyfriend is going to CULP in Thailand!! Fun!! Our older daughter who is an upcoming junior is studying abroad in Austria for a month, that IS THE CULP I WOULD LIKE TO DO!!
 
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