Children malaria and vaccinations

loolee · Nov 5th, 2009, 06:22

I am travelling to Kerala in March/April with my two kids. I have backpacked quite alot before including through India and have never bothered about anything but Hep A. (I had a bad experience on Larium years ago.) This is the first time my kids will have been to India and I was planning on the usual deet and nets and I am about to get both kids a booster for Hep A. What is the prevalence of Mozzies this time of year in Southern India?? Perhaps I should give them malaria pills but what if they react to the tablets like I did...I thought I was going crazy!!

gideon · Nov 5th, 2009, 07:22

Hi

We travelled with our 3, 7 and 11 year olds and on the basis of our local travel medical office we all were vaccinated and took anti malarials (Malarone - they have a dosage for kids but its very expensive). Anyway, we were all just fine. We went to Hampi, stayed in Hubli - tons of mosquitoes around there. Didn't really have a problem elsewhere.

Hope this helps

loolee · Nov 5th, 2009, 09:32

Thanks,I am beginning to think I will give them anti malarials to be on the safe side. Don't want to end up with sick kids and this will be a huge culture shock to them anyway.

edwardseco · Nov 5th, 2009, 12:13

Just be aware that some anti-malarials are not for small children like yours, Doxycycline in particular. Malarone hasn't been tested on small children (as of several years ago). But, I know of no contra-indications for such. As with all malarials the subjects should be observed for any personal if uncommon reactions. We edged it a bit at 11 with Doxy because of a bit of an outbreak in Secunderabad (which I "inaugurated"). Its one thing for the geezer to get it and another for the only male child in the family to be at risk

..

Nick-H · Nov 5th, 2009, 14:41

Loolee, the side effects of Larium are very specific to that drug. There are, of course, those that are perfectly comfortable with it; there are also many of us who would not even risk finding out.

Other anti-malarials may have a range of different side effects, but, to my knowledge at least, non of them include mental problems.

The UK Health authority publication on Malaria and travellers is very informative and includes advice about children. You can get it from -->this link

gideon · Nov 5th, 2009, 22:52

Loolee

Take a look at my blog www.travelwithkidz.wordpress.c om and at Post #3 specifically - we had to deal with all the same issues and you can read my conclusions.

loolee · Nov 7th, 2009, 02:04

Thanks for all the info I will do a bit more research. I would prefer to not take anything. I noted on a world health web sight that Kerala had low risk?? Not sure if this is correct??

Nick-H · Nov 7th, 2009, 02:07

Look at the literature in my link... I think it will confirm that, but do be aware that "low risk" does not mean no risk

gideon · Nov 7th, 2009, 02:16

Hi

Well, just so you know, malarone for kids is being recommended here in Canada - my kids took it and were fine - but its expensive!

Simona · Nov 7th, 2009, 03:13

Hey,

I think you should consider giving them "Malarone" pills. As far as I have heard, they are the best choice possible if you want avoid any risk. And they 'cause none or very mild side effects. I took them myself and the only side effect I got ( so my mom did ) was losing some of our hair...

All the other measures against mosquitos were not working

Simona · Nov 7th, 2009, 03:14

Hey,

I think you should consider giving them "Malarone" pills. As far as I have heard, they are the best choice possible if you want avoid any risk. And they 'cause none or very mild side effects. I took them myself and the only side effect I got ( so my mom did ) was losing some of our hair...

All the other measures against mosquitos were not working

gideon · Nov 7th, 2009, 05:02

Like I said. malarone actually comes in kid sized doses as well. Our kids had no side effetcs though I was itchy for about 24 hours. Only drawback might be the price but for kids even the price is not too bad.

loolee · Nov 7th, 2009, 08:53

My doctor has recommended malerone or Larium. I will go with malerone I think.

Nov 5th, 2009, 06:22	#1
loolee Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10	Children malaria and vaccinations I am travelling to Kerala in March/April with my two kids. I have backpacked quite alot before including through India and have never bothered about anything but Hep A. (I had a bad experience on Larium years ago.) This is the first time my kids will have been to India and I was planning on the usual deet and nets and I am about to get both kids a booster for Hep A. What is the prevalence of Mozzies this time of year in Southern India?? Perhaps I should give them malaria pills but what if they react to the tablets like I did...I thought I was going crazy!!

Nov 5th, 2009, 07:22	#2
gideon Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	We took advice from our local travel medicine office Hi We travelled with our 3, 7 and 11 year olds and on the basis of our local travel medical office we all were vaccinated and took anti malarials (Malarone - they have a dosage for kids but its very expensive). Anyway, we were all just fine. We went to Hampi, stayed in Hubli - tons of mosquitoes around there. Didn't really have a problem elsewhere. Hope this helps

Nov 5th, 2009, 12:13	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,844	Just be aware that some anti-malarials are not for small children like yours, Doxycycline in particular. Malarone hasn't been tested on small children (as of several years ago). But, I know of no contra-indications for such. As with all malarials the subjects should be observed for any personal if uncommon reactions. We edged it a bit at 11 with Doxy because of a bit of an outbreak in Secunderabad (which I "inaugurated"). Its one thing for the geezer to get it and another for the only male child in the family to be at risk..

Nov 5th, 2009, 22:52	#6
gideon Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	More about health risks and kids Loolee Take a look at my blog www.travelwithkidz.wordpress.c om and at Post #3 specifically - we had to deal with all the same issues and you can read my conclusions.

Nov 7th, 2009, 02:04	#7
loolee Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10	thanks Thanks for all the info I will do a bit more research. I would prefer to not take anything. I noted on a world health web sight that Kerala had low risk?? Not sure if this is correct??

Nov 5th, 2009, 09:32	#3
loolee Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10	Thanks Thanks,I am beginning to think I will give them anti malarials to be on the safe side. Don't want to end up with sick kids and this will be a huge culture shock to them anyway.

Nov 5th, 2009, 14:41	#5
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Loolee, the side effects of Larium are very specific to that drug. There are, of course, those that are perfectly comfortable with it; there are also many of us who would not even risk finding out. Other anti-malarials may have a range of different side effects, but, to my knowledge at least, non of them include mental problems. The UK Health authority publication on Malaria and travellers is very informative and includes advice about children. You can get it from -->this link

Nov 7th, 2009, 02:07	#8
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Look at the literature in my link... I think it will confirm that, but do be aware that "low risk" does not mean no risk

Nov 7th, 2009, 02:16	#9
gideon Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	Malarone for kids Hi Well, just so you know, malarone for kids is being recommended here in Canada - my kids took it and were fine - but its expensive! __________________ Gideon www.travelwithkidz.wordpress.c om

Nov 7th, 2009, 03:13	#10
Simona Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 13	I would go for pill Hey, I think you should consider giving them "Malarone" pills. As far as I have heard, they are the best choice possible if you want avoid any risk. And they 'cause none or very mild side effects. I took them myself and the only side effect I got ( so my mom did ) was losing some of our hair... All the other measures against mosquitos were not working

Nov 7th, 2009, 03:14	#11
Simona Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 13	I would go for pills Hey, I think you should consider giving them "Malarone" pills. As far as I have heard, they are the best choice possible if you want avoid any risk. And they 'cause none or very mild side effects. I took them myself and the only side effect I got ( so my mom did ) was losing some of our hair... All the other measures against mosquitos were not working

Nov 7th, 2009, 05:02	#12
gideon Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 21	malarone Like I said. malarone actually comes in kid sized doses as well. Our kids had no side effetcs though I was itchy for about 24 hours. Only drawback might be the price but for kids even the price is not too bad.

Nov 7th, 2009, 08:53	#13
loolee Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 10	My doctor has recommended malerone or Larium. I will go with malerone I think.

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