# Lost my Dope penpal who'd been to S. Africa in the Discourse move **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2022, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596 "2022-09-15T03:00:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/21 "2022-09-17T02:03:08Z")
pulykamell, we asked at the VAMC, and I asked my PCP. Both said they don’t offer anything for malaria, when taking a trip. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/22 "2022-09-17T02:12:45Z")
Interesting. Looking through my emails, it was almost ten years ago, but we got an anti-malarial drug prescription before we left for a three-week trip to Mumbai/Ahmedabad/Delhi. The drug isn’t named in my correspondence, but Malarone sounds familiar. So perhaps things have changed since then – ten years is a bit of a while. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/23 "2022-09-17T02:14:21Z")
I’ve never had problems getting anti-malarials when traveling. Contact your health insurance and ask about seeing a “travel service”. They’ll fit you out with everything you need. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/24 "2022-09-17T02:21:06Z")
Yeah, CDC still seems to recommend it for certain parts of South Africa: > **[South Africa - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/south-africa)** > > Official U.S. government health recommendations for traveling. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). > [@](#): > > CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Specific areas are mentioned here: [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/yellow-fever-vaccine-and-malaria-prophylaxis-information-by-country/](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/yellow-fever-vaccine-and-malaria-prophylaxis-information-by-country/) ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/25 "2022-09-17T02:22:14Z")
Well, damned if I know what to do now… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/26 "2022-09-17T02:23:35Z")
Go to a travel service that **Telemark** mentions. I believe that’s what we did ourselves. It’s been awhile, but I’m pretty sure that’s where we ended up. It wasn’t through our PCP. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/27 "2022-09-17T02:34:28Z")
> [@dummygladhands71](#): > > Apparently US medicine doesn’t do any anti-malarial, Huh? I see I’ve been beaten to the subject by several other posters, but yeah, that’s just wrong. Some years ago, I lived in Maputo, Mozambique, not so far from South Africa and mosquitoes aren’t known for their ability to respect national borders, and let me tell you - EVERYONE got malaria. Well, I didn’t, but I was insanely careful because I couldn’t take decent propholactics because I was breast-feeding. And I obviously exaggerate, but I did know 3-4 people personally who contracted it, sometimes on multiple occasions. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/28 "2022-09-17T02:43:35Z")
There are a bunch of “fun” diseases you can get here. Malaria, bilharzia, various intestinal worms etc, but malaria would be my biggest concern. Not enough of a concern to stop your trip, but definitely worth finding an anti-malarial. That said, I am 46 and have lived most of my life in areas prone to _Anopheles_ mosquitoes and I have never been infected. Edit: I am fairly sure you will also need a Yellow Fever vaccination, and carry that certificate with you with your passport. I have never heard of anyone contracting Yellow Fever, despite my social group being somewhat careless about prophylactics, but it is endemic here. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/29 "2022-09-17T02:46:05Z")
BUT, the VAMC and my PCP say no, so what should I do?? ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/30 "2022-09-17T02:47:48Z")
Ah, found some on-line, thanks!!! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/31 "2022-09-17T03:00:43Z")
> [@dummygladhands71](#): > > we asked at the VAMC, and I asked my PCP. Both said they don’t offer anything for malaria, when taking a trip. > [@dummygladhands71](#): > > Apparently US medicine doesn’t do any anti-malarial I’m not sure what you mean by “offer” or “do”. Most insurance companies do not PAY for it, I think because it’s seen as part of your chosen leisure activity to go abroad, not essential healthcare. Maybe VAMC are the same. It seems a little shortsighted to me, but that’s the way it is. But any doctor should certainly be willing to write a prescription based on your travel plans, and it’s not too expensive. It’s worth shopping around the major pharmacies, but Malarone should be maybe $2 per pill (one per day). > [@dummygladhands71](#): > > found some on-line You do need a prescription, not just one of the discount coupons. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/32 "2022-09-17T03:07:35Z")
Got it, yes, and there are some “travel” pharmacies apparently ready and willing to dispense it, with in-house MD’S, at a hefty price, but it seems our only choice. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/33 "2022-09-17T03:21:28Z")
You _should_ start taking anti-malarials 2 weeks before, but here they are OTC, no need for a prescription. And cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/34 "2022-09-17T03:53:16Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > You _should_ start taking anti-malarials 2 weeks before Malarone should be started just one day before travel, and a week after. And there’s no malaria in Johannesburg, of course. So if you’re taking your first tab as you board the plane in the U.S., that works fine. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/35 "2022-09-28T15:51:35Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Edit: I am fairly sure you will also need a Yellow Fever vaccination, and carry that certificate with you with your passport. I have never heard of anyone contracting Yellow Fever, despite my social group being somewhat careless about prophylactics, but it is endemic here. Yellow fever is not endemic in South Africa - the SA authorities require a YF vax certificate if you have travelled in/through tropical countries with a YF risk. The usual case where people get caught by this is if they travel to SA via Nairobi or Addis Ababa, and then learn on arrival that they need a YF vaccination. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/36 "2022-09-28T16:20:31Z")
I was fairly sure that the north, like Limpopo province, was susceptible to Yellow Fever but I am not an epidemiologist - not even a doctor - so i bow to your better knowledge. I have needed a cetificate for travel to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania (plus Zanzibar) and Brazil so far. I think maybe Brazil might be a bigger threat but apparently the various other countries also have some worry. Except Zimbabwe. My friend arrived at the Zim border and was offered a choice of a bribe or a pre-used needle/syringe rattling around in a border guard’s desk. He took the bribery option. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/37 "2022-09-28T16:36:39Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I was fairly sure that the north, like Limpopo province, was susceptible to Yellow Fever but I am not an epidemiologist - not even a doctor - so i bow to your better knowledge. I am also not a doctor, but here’s what the CDC says about yellow fever endemism in Africa: > **[Areas with Risk of Yellow Fever Virus Transmission in Africa](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/maps/africa.html)** > > Information on Yellow Fever. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/38 "2022-09-29T03:03:44Z")
Telemedicine with my PCP today, she says I don’t need prophylaxis for malaria. OK. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596/39 "2022-09-29T09:39:16Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I have needed a cetificate for travel to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania (plus Zanzibar) and Brazil so far. Note that for some of those places, I think it’s not that the disease is endemic there, it’s that they don’t want it to becomes so. Yellow fever is not endemic in Zimbabwe or Mozambique. > [@scudsucker](#): > > My friend arrived at the Zim border and was offered a choice of a bribe or a pre-used needle/syringe rattling around in a border guard’s desk. > > He took the bribery option. I’m sure that’s exactly what the guards intended with their used needle show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-my-dope-penpal-whod-been-to-s-africa-in-the-discourse-move/971596.md?page=1)