any tips on malaria tablets

magindi · Mar 5th, 2005, 21:44

im off to delhi in april and travelling india for six weeks but im abit apprehensive about taking the malaria tablets as advised .i would like to know if its absolutely essential to take these ive also been told they can make you quite sick .can anyone advise me on any safe alternative precautions

edwardseco · Mar 5th, 2005, 22:26

This is a huge subject with different "pills". No one can make up your mind, You need to do some serious research. Fortunately this site does heavy duty archiving so use the search engine as you can't miss on a keyword like malaria. If you decide on something you have to be aware of potential side effects. Or you can trust to luck. That worked for me for a couple of years until mine ran out..

Ikuru · Mar 5th, 2005, 22:35

Do a search on Malaria on this site (button above) there is a zillion threads covering this. I my self dont take malaria pills, but this is not advice, mearly a statement....

And I understand that even doctors advice different. my doctor having spent allot of time in Africa himslef did not say I HAD to take them.

Sure one is taking a risk not taking pills, but HOW big is that risk really? I dont know. Its not like you meet people suffering from Malaria once in a while (my own expirience that is). Anyhow good luck too ya. And may the force be with ya and have a good trip too.

Ikuru · Mar 5th, 2005, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardseco

That worked for me for a couple of years until mine ran out..

So you had mallaria? And got rid of it?

lostinasia · Mar 6th, 2005, 10:48

Often, unfortunately, it's trial and error. Many people take Larium/ Mefloquine without any problems; I took it and DEFINITELY had much more vivid dreams (I normally don't remember them), which was kind of cool, but on the other hand I also started having mild panic attacks which may have been the Larium or may have been my brain deciding to play games with me. Either way I stopped taking it.

I've taken doxycycline on a few trips without any difficulty or noticeable side effects. Others take it and suffer serious photosensitivity (i.e. they're perpetually sunburnt).

I just spent 4 weeks in north India and got exactly zero mosquito bites. Mind you, it was winter. The newspapers had nothing about malaria deaths, but maybe they wouldn't anyway--you don't see flu deaths reported in North America.

Over the years I've met a few people that have had malaria, and it sounds pretty serious--the kind of thing where you're back to full strength months later or maybe never.

Precautions? Wear trousers, wear socks, wear shoes.

The traffic, of course, kills far more tourists than malaria ever does.

magindi · Mar 8th, 2005, 07:51

still feel slightly apprehensive about taking malaria tablets but begining to feel prevention is probably better than cure. its a risky one not taking them but is it necessary to take them four weeks before travelling?

machadinha · Mar 8th, 2005, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by magindi

still feel slightly apprehensive about taking malaria tablets but begining to feel prevention is probably better than cure. its a risky one not taking them but is it necessary to take them four weeks before travelling?

If you're gonna take them at all then why not stick with your doctor's prescriptions or don't bother at all. Chances are they'll know better than some random forum member like myself.

Tomi · Mar 8th, 2005, 11:18

Don't assume that asking the average doctor or nurse is the thing to do; many are just not up to snuff on the details of malaria in a particular area of the globe. You are better off looking up the web sites of the Canadian, American, British, Australian centers for travel health (or your own country's), and then confront your care provider with the evidence. Ultimately it's up to you to decide the risks you want to take, and in my opinion no mosquito repellents will do the job; it's medication or not. It's whether you want to risk it and get treated later if you have bad luck and get malaria, or take pills and take a chance with side effects. But it's your choice; you're your own primary care provider. I have always taken anti-malarials myself, but I know many people who don't and still do fine. You will not get an authoritative answer from anyone. Just do a search of this web site and you will see many different opinions.

lostinasia · Mar 8th, 2005, 15:09

I've never heard of taking medication four weeks before departure. I think Lariam is a week before; doxcycline I believe is one day before (both, however, should be taken for a few weeks after leaving the malaria area).

On insect repellant and covering up: the places that often have the most mosquitoes are your guesthouse bathroom. Neither DEET nor clothing are all that useful when you're sitting on the loo or having your shower!

When I do get bit, it seems to be almost always my feet. They love under the tables. Hence socks and shoes.

I'm moderately cautious and usually take antimalarials if assorted websites (medical ones, not travellers message boards!) suggest it's a good idea--doxcycline is my drug of choice. So far as I can tell I've suffered no ill effects. However, when I've travelled for a long time (i.e. one year) I've picked my regions to take the drugs (yes in non-Bali Indonesia, no in Thailand, for example) because I really don't like the idea of taking medication for that long.

I did take doxycycline for the month in north India but stopped immediately upon leaving since I hadn't suffered any bites. Usually when the topic came up with other tourists, I discovered very few people were taking anything.

monkgonemad · Mar 23rd, 2005, 16:30

ok. doctors and nurses (in states0 dont know jack. my sister works for an md. he cant remember the larium regiment so he used to have her call me!

the only thiing that may be effective anymore is malerone and larium 9which has side effects).

you dont need anything save for deet -but take precautions!

ive been living in and out of asia for years and i always wear shorts at night,even in lao and cambodia.

just be careful. long pants, mossies out of room before sleeping, deet...

Mar 5th, 2005, 21:44	#1
magindi Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west wales Posts: 20	any tips on malaria tablets im off to delhi in april and travelling india for six weeks but im abit apprehensive about taking the malaria tablets as advised .i would like to know if its absolutely essential to take these ive also been told they can make you quite sick .can anyone advise me on any safe alternative precautions

Mar 5th, 2005, 22:35	#3
Ikuru the only "end" is "you" Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: infront of the screen Posts: 1,913	Do a search on Malaria on this site (button above) there is a zillion threads covering this. I my self dont take malaria pills, but this is not advice, mearly a statement.... And I understand that even doctors advice different. my doctor having spent allot of time in Africa himslef did not say I HAD to take them. Sure one is taking a risk not taking pills, but HOW big is that risk really? I dont know. Its not like you meet people suffering from Malaria once in a while (my own expirience that is). Anyhow good luck too ya. And may the force be with ya and have a good trip too. __________________ http://www.ikuru.se My art.

Mar 8th, 2005, 11:18	#8
Tomi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Posts: 448	To lariam or not to lariam Don't assume that asking the average doctor or nurse is the thing to do; many are just not up to snuff on the details of malaria in a particular area of the globe. You are better off looking up the web sites of the Canadian, American, British, Australian centers for travel health (or your own country's), and then confront your care provider with the evidence. Ultimately it's up to you to decide the risks you want to take, and in my opinion no mosquito repellents will do the job; it's medication or not. It's whether you want to risk it and get treated later if you have bad luck and get malaria, or take pills and take a chance with side effects. But it's your choice; you're your own primary care provider. I have always taken anti-malarials myself, but I know many people who don't and still do fine. You will not get an authoritative answer from anyone. Just do a search of this web site and you will see many different opinions.

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Mar 5th, 2005, 22:26	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,142	This is a huge subject with different "pills". No one can make up your mind, You need to do some serious research. Fortunately this site does heavy duty archiving so use the search engine as you can't miss on a keyword like malaria. If you decide on something you have to be aware of potential side effects. Or you can trust to luck. That worked for me for a couple of years until mine ran out..

Mar 6th, 2005, 10:48	#5
lostinasia Lost In Asia Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Taiwan Posts: 46	Often, unfortunately, it's trial and error. Many people take Larium/ Mefloquine without any problems; I took it and DEFINITELY had much more vivid dreams (I normally don't remember them), which was kind of cool, but on the other hand I also started having mild panic attacks which may have been the Larium or may have been my brain deciding to play games with me. Either way I stopped taking it. I've taken doxycycline on a few trips without any difficulty or noticeable side effects. Others take it and suffer serious photosensitivity (i.e. they're perpetually sunburnt). I just spent 4 weeks in north India and got exactly zero mosquito bites. Mind you, it was winter. The newspapers had nothing about malaria deaths, but maybe they wouldn't anyway--you don't see flu deaths reported in North America. Over the years I've met a few people that have had malaria, and it sounds pretty serious--the kind of thing where you're back to full strength months later or maybe never. Precautions? Wear trousers, wear socks, wear shoes. The traffic, of course, kills far more tourists than malaria ever does.

Mar 8th, 2005, 07:51	#6
magindi Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: west wales Posts: 20	still feel slightly apprehensive about taking malaria tablets but begining to feel prevention is probably better than cure. its a risky one not taking them but is it necessary to take them four weeks before travelling?

Mar 8th, 2005, 15:09	#9
lostinasia Lost In Asia Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Taiwan Posts: 46	I've never heard of taking medication four weeks before departure. I think Lariam is a week before; doxcycline I believe is one day before (both, however, should be taken for a few weeks after leaving the malaria area). On insect repellant and covering up: the places that often have the most mosquitoes are your guesthouse bathroom. Neither DEET nor clothing are all that useful when you're sitting on the loo or having your shower! When I do get bit, it seems to be almost always my feet. They love under the tables. Hence socks and shoes. I'm moderately cautious and usually take antimalarials if assorted websites (medical ones, not travellers message boards!) suggest it's a good idea--doxcycline is my drug of choice. So far as I can tell I've suffered no ill effects. However, when I've travelled for a long time (i.e. one year) I've picked my regions to take the drugs (yes in non-Bali Indonesia, no in Thailand, for example) because I really don't like the idea of taking medication for that long. I did take doxycycline for the month in north India but stopped immediately upon leaving since I hadn't suffered any bites. Usually when the topic came up with other tourists, I discovered very few people were taking anything.

Mar 23rd, 2005, 16:30	#10
monkgonemad Aimless Drifter, Shiftless Idler, Useless Waster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoEastAsia/AsiaSubCont Posts: 416	ok. doctors and nurses (in states0 dont know jack. my sister works for an md. he cant remember the larium regiment so he used to have her call me! the only thiing that may be effective anymore is malerone and larium 9which has side effects). you dont need anything save for deet -but take precautions! ive been living in and out of asia for years and i always wear shorts at night,even in lao and cambodia. just be careful. long pants, mossies out of room before sleeping, deet...

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