Chhattisgarh - malaria risk in November?

Fromageball · Nov 1st, 2009, 02:16

Hi all,
I'm headed to India in a week and am wondering about whether or not I should have listened to my doctor. I went to get my jabs and she told me that I probably wouldn't need malaria meds in November so she didn't prescribe them. I will be in Chhatisgarh(Bilaspur) and just received word from a friend there that the mosquitoes are terrible. Should I rush and get the pills or no? I feel like it's probably a no-brainer but my doctor didn't seem to think they were necessary.

I've never been to India before if that makes any difference.
Thanks for any advice!

machadinha · Nov 1st, 2009, 03:34

Hm. I didn't take any on previous trips. Was advised (by the Dutch public health service) to do so on my last trip earlier this year, partly because I was going to Madhya Pradesh -- which Chhattisgarh is right next to, and formed a part of till not long ago.

And so I did. Didn't regret it either as contrary again to some previous trips I found myself being bitten by mosquitoes quite a bit. With some mutual deliberation, we decided on Proguanil (Paludrine) for me, which they seemed to think was OK for the area, and which is less likely to have some side effects I'm averse to.

(Note these regimes and their advice and whatnot can vary quite a bit per country or even place in which you ask though. And I sure ain't no doctor, kindly don't rely on me, I'm just telling you what I did earlier this year in roughly that area.)

I'd say too that area will probably be quite fresh and green still from the monsoon which will just have come to an end, if it isn't still doing so; and is then said to be (Chhattisgargh, I mean) one of the more forested areas in India still. So perfect environment and time of year for mozzies you'd think.

Added to that you saying you have a friend on the ground telling you so, and you might want to have a word with your doc again about taking them. Their word obviously isn't law anyway; if you want to take them, they can't stop you, nor the other way around. Another consideration could be it's supposed to be one of the more backward regions of the country still, so if you require medical attention, you might be happy with the extra time any anti-malarials should buy you.

Fromageball · Nov 1st, 2009, 07:39

Yeah I think I will get them...the prob is that I can't go to my same dr because I'm on different insurance now(I moved and am in school) and so I don't have a dr established yet. I'm not sure why she wouldn't just write me a prescription, I even sort of argued with her that I thought there was risk of malaria everywhere in India so I should probably just take them...oh well.

I know my friend isn't taking the pills because she actually moved to India(permanently...getting married) and was talking about how since she's moving she's not bothering with them.

Anyway thanks for the input! Will go see student health services Monday.

wonderwomanusa · Nov 1st, 2009, 10:43

You can use Doxycycline for anti-malaria with only a few side effects; if your MD will give you a prescription for 10 days' worth, you can walk into any pharmacy when you arrive in India and buy enough for the rest of your visit for just a few dollars.

Barkha · Nov 1st, 2009, 12:15

Hi, I reside in Raipur - just 2 hrs drive from Bilaspur which is quiet a nice developed city. Yes the region is full of mosquitoes but Malaria..? I think not . All you will be required to do is use a good mosquito repellent and close all the doors n windows around 6 pm.

God forbid but if you still need to see a doctor , the city has many good n reliable one.

If you need any help of any sort you can always get in touch with me.

Nov 1st, 2009, 02:16	#1
Fromageball Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 4	Chhattisgarh - malaria risk in November? Hi all, I'm headed to India in a week and am wondering about whether or not I should have listened to my doctor. I went to get my jabs and she told me that I probably wouldn't need malaria meds in November so she didn't prescribe them. I will be in Chhatisgarh(Bilaspur) and just received word from a friend there that the mosquitoes are terrible. Should I rush and get the pills or no? I feel like it's probably a no-brainer but my doctor didn't seem to think they were necessary. I've never been to India before if that makes any difference. Thanks for any advice!

Nov 1st, 2009, 03:34	#2
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Hm. I didn't take any on previous trips. Was advised (by the Dutch public health service) to do so on my last trip earlier this year, partly because I was going to Madhya Pradesh -- which Chhattisgarh is right next to, and formed a part of till not long ago. And so I did. Didn't regret it either as contrary again to some previous trips I found myself being bitten by mosquitoes quite a bit. With some mutual deliberation, we decided on Proguanil (Paludrine) for me, which they seemed to think was OK for the area, and which is less likely to have some side effects I'm averse to. (Note these regimes and their advice and whatnot can vary quite a bit per country or even place in which you ask though. And I sure ain't no doctor, kindly don't rely on me, I'm just telling you what I did earlier this year in roughly that area.) I'd say too that area will probably be quite fresh and green still from the monsoon which will just have come to an end, if it isn't still doing so; and is then said to be (Chhattisgargh, I mean) one of the more forested areas in India still. So perfect environment and time of year for mozzies you'd think. Added to that you saying you have a friend on the ground telling you so, and you might want to have a word with your doc again about taking them. Their word obviously isn't law anyway; if you want to take them, they can't stop you, nor the other way around. Another consideration could be it's supposed to be one of the more backward regions of the country still, so if you require medical attention, you might be happy with the extra time any anti-malarials should buy you. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Nov 1st, 2009, 10:43	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,261	You can use Doxycycline for anti-malaria with only a few side effects; if your MD will give you a prescription for 10 days' worth, you can walk into any pharmacy when you arrive in India and buy enough for the rest of your visit for just a few dollars. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

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Nov 1st, 2009, 07:39	#3
Fromageball Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 4	Yeah I think I will get them...the prob is that I can't go to my same dr because I'm on different insurance now(I moved and am in school) and so I don't have a dr established yet. I'm not sure why she wouldn't just write me a prescription, I even sort of argued with her that I thought there was risk of malaria everywhere in India so I should probably just take them...oh well. I know my friend isn't taking the pills because she actually moved to India(permanently...getting married) and was talking about how since she's moving she's not bothering with them. Anyway thanks for the input! Will go see student health services Monday.

Nov 1st, 2009, 12:15	#5
Barkha Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 304	Hi, I reside in Raipur - just 2 hrs drive from Bilaspur which is quiet a nice developed city. Yes the region is full of mosquitoes but Malaria..? I think not . All you will be required to do is use a good mosquito repellent and close all the doors n windows around 6 pm. God forbid but if you still need to see a doctor , the city has many good n reliable one. If you need any help of any sort you can always get in touch with me.