Antibiotics and Yeast Infections

I'm going to be on the antibiotic doxycycline for 2+ months (as a malaria prophylactic) and am wondering if I should bring a two month supply of yeast infection treatment with me (?!) in order to treat the yeast infection caused by the antibiotic (I get yeast infections every time I take antibiotics).

Thanks for your help!

second that
of course, you may have a medical condition that necessitates that. But of your MD is one of the many doctors prescribing Doxy as an alternative to yoghurt, I'd stick to that for my antibacterial crusade, one cup daily with meals. Ask for "Dahi."

I'm very grateful for your advice!

I apologize for not making it clear in my initial post that I will be taking Doxycycline as a Malaria prophylactic (and will therefore be 'required' to use it for the full two months). I am actually relocating to India long-term, but only plan to use the doxy while traveling. Thanks again for your help!

Hi Kira

Also be aware that doxycycline can have other side effects too.... it can make you very sensitive to the sun. I only took it for a couple of weeks and ended up with an itchy red rash on my arms which lasted for months. So if you are going to be out in the sun then cover up. Also, look seriously at the time of year you will be travelling and whether you will be travelling in areas where malaria is a problem.... it may not be necessary at all and if it's just going to give you a yeast infection then maybe you can reconsider taking it at all. Just my two cents... I seem to have become one of the people who don't bother with malaria protection here in India, although on my first visit in '95 I know I took something.

Maree

Thank you, Maree! I didn't take anything for malaria the last time I was in India either. The only reason I decided to bring doxy with me this time is because I will be traveling extensively. I can't believe you had the rash for so long!=:-o Yikes. I'll be in full sun without protection (other than a hat) almost all day, every day for two months......

Does anyone know if there is a website that lists the transmission seasons for malaria in India?

Dear Traveller
The season depends on the location.
If you can point out the location we can reasonable inform you of the season as well. Then there is the issue of where you go to. If you are going to slums to teach poor children or offto sunderbans for medicine apprenticehip// exposure determines chances as well.
Kindly let us know and we can help you with more information.
stay on guard against "dengue" in summers .

Thank you so much for being willing to answer my question concerning malaria transmission.

I will be visiting Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala from early February to the end of March.

I will be working outdoors in the larger cities and will be sleeping in extremely rustic, rural environments (in schools and the like).

Any information you may be able to provide would be most appreciated! Thank you again for your help.

Thank you so much for your feedback! I greatly appreciate your sharing your own experience with me, as I am quite holistic oriented and never take antibiotics (don't even take aspirin for headaches!) I had initially planned on taking the Chinese herb Artemesia but after the responses I received from others in this board, I decided to bring the doxy.....Looks like I may end up going the naturopathic route after all! {{thank you}}

I also take doxy as other malaria solutions work even worse for me....my travel nurse suggested using acidopholus (sp?) as a preventative of yeast infections when taking doxy

Anitobiotics dont cause yeast infections. AB's just kill bad and some good bacteria. Therefore your bodies natural defence is lowered to these infections.
Cool, clean saline rince, good yogurt and anything you can get locally to help restore your GI tract.
If i may, rather than tight jeans etc, wear loose cotton pant and no underwear. I do when i get the chance. Local clothing develops for a reason, in most cases.
Avoid wine, this is huge way to get thrush in general, even if you are not on AB's.

The family takes Doxy as my relations live in a malarial affected area (noted as a non-malarial on the British map). My spouse says no yeast, etc. problems. I get a bit sun-sensitive but it goes away after a week. I will note a possible issue in that in can interfere with some BC pills. Actually, the family experienced great health as a side effect of the Doxy, no stomach problems. However & its a big one you must take it exactly as required. This avoids a serious side effect which would affect me. Easy..

If you're going to be out in the sun, rather bring plenty of sunblock with. It can be hard to find and when you do find it, it's quite expensive.

You can buy probiotic pills and bring those with, although the pharmacist in Delhi handed me a pack of them when I had to get some antibiotics, so am sure you can find it in the cities too.

If you're really concerned, bring some with. Rather safe than sorry is my motto.
Good luck with the relocation!