Andaman in mid-august malaria?

Tamar bamby · Jul 21st, 2009, 15:04

we are going to andaman in mid-august..
Is there need to take medicine to prevent malaria?
Thanks

Nick-H · Jul 21st, 2009, 22:40

I understand that the Andamans are rated High Risk for Malaria, and that they have the dangerous strain which can kill.

tavarish · Jul 22nd, 2009, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamar bamby

we are going to andaman in mid-august..
Is there need to take medicine to prevent malaria?
Thanks

The malaria risk in Andaman Islands are as far as I know variable.

Remember that Andaman Islands cover a huge area (all from Indonesia to Burma), and there are areas with higher risk than others.

All foreigners I know of who work on Havelock Island do not use any malaria medication. And many tourists do not use it either. As far as I know there has been a couple of confirmed cases of Malaria in Havelock, but as those who got it (many years ago) travelled they did not neccessarily get it on Havelock itself.

Malaria medication got their sideeffects as well, some serious. So I think that if you only go to Port Blair and Havelock it is a choice you have to take. The risk for getting malaria there seems to be extremely low (according to how many who gets it).

wonderwomanusa · Jul 22nd, 2009, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamar bamby

we are going to andaman in mid-august..
Is there need to take medicine to prevent malaria?
Thanks

Ask at your travel clinic.

martinez · Jul 23rd, 2009, 06:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamar bamby

we are going to andaman in mid-august..
Is there need to take medicine to prevent malaria?
Thanks

Hello Tamar Bamby from europe,i rely on organic repellants for the skin,deet for window frames,doorways,bedframe etc etc,net for nights, long trousers and long sleeved shirsf for night also.2 months in Andaman,albeit winter time and no problems.

Chaichaichai · Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:37

We took the anti-biotic which was cheaper than the usual anti-malaria meds that cause bad physcological effects. Then after talking to some euro staff members (none of whom took them) we decided not to take them (as we later found the anti-biotics can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill).

For mosquitoes, I made my own concoction which i brought with me in a spray bottle. This worked a treat and kept them at bay, also worked for the sandflies at no.7. Recipe: Mix baby oil, citronella or citris oil and dettol together, spray on..

Tamar bamby · Jul 23rd, 2009, 18:29

Im a little confused...

I guess I will have to decide soon!

Nick-H · Jul 23rd, 2009, 18:57

Quote:

We took the anti-biotic which was cheaper than the usual anti-malaria meds that cause bad physcological effects.

The usual antimalarial meds do not cause bad psychological effects.

Ill-informed comment.

martinez · Aug 9th, 2009, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

The usual antimalarial meds do not cause bad psychological effects.

Ill-informed comment.

Some are known to affect the liver and create a feeling of unwellness in the consumer.

Nick-H · Aug 9th, 2009, 02:11

There are side effects associated with several of the drugs. One has been implicated in causing mental illness.

My point is that to speak in terms of the usual antimalerial meds causing bad psychological side effects is hopelessly and utterly wrong, and very misleading.

Your "some are known..." comment is almost as bad.

This is an area where non-specific information is even worse than no, or wrong, information. It does nothing but spread fear about a whole group of drugs.

FUD --- Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt; the great marketing weapon of the computer industry. I think we should try to better than that here.

martinez · Aug 9th, 2009, 05:44

Thanks Nick.

Nick-H · Aug 9th, 2009, 05:48

I know I get grumpy about this stuff, but I do hope you see my point!

edwardseco · Aug 9th, 2009, 14:31

Just to fill in a blank Larium: frequent psychological effects: Doxycycline: physical effects (I use it exactly as recommended). I don't know of any psch. effects other than for Larium but that doesn't rule out individual cases. Just after monsoon should be an ideal time for mosquitoes..

Deli Behli · Aug 9th, 2009, 17:35

Best to see a professional about it

here is some info that may be of some help
http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/...laria-map.aspx
http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/...%29/india.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Malaria...revention.aspx

I was told to take Paludrine & Choroquine. Most people I met weren't taking anything. There seems to be huge variations in advice given.

One potential side effect of Doxycyclene (the regular antibiotic one) is that it might make your skin very sensitive to sunlight. You could probably test yourself out for this in your own country before making a choice.

Whatever you choose - it will almost certaintly be cheaper to buy in India, so if you are going for a long time you could consider just buying a small amount in Europe and picking up the rest in Chennai or Kolkata.

Jul 21st, 2009, 15:04	#1
Tamar bamby Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 7	Andaman in mid-august malaria? we are going to andaman in mid-august.. Is there need to take medicine to prevent malaria? Thanks

Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:37	#6
Chaichaichai Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: earth Posts: 4	malaria We took the anti-biotic which was cheaper than the usual anti-malaria meds that cause bad physcological effects. Then after talking to some euro staff members (none of whom took them) we decided not to take them (as we later found the anti-biotics can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill). For mosquitoes, I made my own concoction which i brought with me in a spray bottle. This worked a treat and kept them at bay, also worked for the sandflies at no.7. Recipe: Mix baby oil, citronella or citris oil and dettol together, spray on..

Jul 23rd, 2009, 18:29	#7
Tamar bamby Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 7	thanks guys Im a little confused... I guess I will have to decide soon!

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Jul 21st, 2009, 22:40	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	I understand that the Andamans are rated High Risk for Malaria, and that they have the dangerous strain which can kill.

Aug 9th, 2009, 02:11	#10
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	There are side effects associated with several of the drugs. One has been implicated in causing mental illness. My point is that to speak in terms of the usual antimalerial meds causing bad psychological side effects is hopelessly and utterly wrong, and very misleading. Your "some are known..." comment is almost as bad. This is an area where non-specific information is even worse than no, or wrong, information. It does nothing but spread fear about a whole group of drugs. FUD --- Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt; the great marketing weapon of the computer industry. I think we should try to better than that here.

Aug 9th, 2009, 05:44	#11
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Thanks Nick.

Aug 9th, 2009, 05:48	#12
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	I know I get grumpy about this stuff, but I do hope you see my point!

Aug 9th, 2009, 14:31	#13
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,841	Just to fill in a blank Larium: frequent psychological effects: Doxycycline: physical effects (I use it exactly as recommended). I don't know of any psch. effects other than for Larium but that doesn't rule out individual cases. Just after monsoon should be an ideal time for mosquitoes..

Aug 9th, 2009, 17:35	#14
Deli Behli Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 32	Best to see a professional about it here is some info that may be of some help http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/...laria-map.aspx http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/...%29/india.aspx http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Malaria...revention.aspx I was told to take Paludrine & Choroquine. Most people I met weren't taking anything. There seems to be huge variations in advice given. One potential side effect of Doxycyclene (the regular antibiotic one) is that it might make your skin very sensitive to sunlight. You could probably test yourself out for this in your own country before making a choice. Whatever you choose - it will almost certaintly be cheaper to buy in India, so if you are going for a long time you could consider just buying a small amount in Europe and picking up the rest in Chennai or Kolkata.