malaria in january in Varanasi?

13blackcrows · Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:25

hi

i have read so much hyperbole about

malaria in india

i have no idea what to believe anymore...

i will be in india from jan thru mid march

and

some say its safe then...

some say take the meds (and pray they arent worse than malaria)

and some say just wear good clothes and deet....

what do you think?

k

machadinha · Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:28

No, it only occurs on Feb. 29th.

Sorry, I'm taking the piss out of you. It's an endless topic with no real answers and there are many threads on it, so search around this site some, you'll find there are many divergent views.

Oh, and welcome to IndiaMike

ps My usual advice: Speak to your local tropical health clinic or GP specialized in the same, then make up your mind.

13blackcrows · Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:33

so, are you saying leave the country

on feb 29th

?

....

just wondering if anyone has

on the ground experience in there

at this time of year

(health professionals all same the same thing...take the meds...i think thay are afraid of malpractice)

k

machadinha · Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13blackcrows

i think thay are afraid of malpractice

And well they should, I'd take the same position in their place.

Did I say already: Search around here some? You'll find all the opinions you weren't looking for, and then some.

13blackcrows · Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:39

yea

i have searched around alot!

(thatswhy i am soconfused)

karuna · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:09

Quote:

some say take the meds (and pray they arent worse than malaria)

Are there known cases of malaria medication causing death?

Nick-H · Jan 3rd, 2008, 00:28

Quote:

(health professionals all same the same thing...take the meds...i think thay are afraid of malpractice)

The satndard UK medical advice has changed from Prophylaxis to awareness, diagnosis and treatment. See this very informative document (PDF) aimed at the health pros doing the advising.

I think the risk of catching a lethal strain of malaria here is very small.

13blackcrows · Jan 3rd, 2008, 01:39

thanks Nick...

the brits seem to have a more sensible idea about

the risk of malaria than the US...

its a long doc

but mostly thay seem to be speaking

to precautions of all sorts and relative risk as well...

edwardseco · Jan 3rd, 2008, 02:56

Its a matter of opinion that makes for horse races.
Mark Twain

Applies especially well to malaria issues..

wonderwomanusa · Jan 3rd, 2008, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13blackcrows

just wondering if anyone has

on the ground experience in there

at this time of year

(health professionals all same the same thing...take the meds...i think thay are afraid of malpractice)

k

Well, there are mosquiitos in Varanasi at that time of year. How careful can you be to not get bitten?

A friend died of malaria some years ago; it's in his memory that I always take anti-malarials. How much is your life worth to you?

There are plenty of diseases you can get for which there are no injections or pills. Some of these also are spread by mosquitos. What is your tolerance for disease?

Nobody can make this decision for you. It's all your choice.

13blackcrows · Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:05

thank you

edwardseco · Jan 3rd, 2008, 11:58

Quote:

Are there known cases of malaria medication causing death?

Good one and to the above I will recall wonderwoman's friend who died from the disease..

13blackcrows · Jan 3rd, 2008, 20:38

well,

actually im not sure

but lariam has more horror storys

and some unverified accounts of folks

having severe effects....

i have decided to take some meds having said that...

(is this a good one too?)

wonderwomanusa · Jan 4th, 2008, 05:43

There are other things you can take besides Lariam, which (you're right) can have some scarey side effects for some people. Look into Malarone and Doxycycline... they are easier on us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13blackcrows

well,

actually im not sure

but lariam has more horror storys

and some unverified accounts of folks

having severe effects....

i have decided to take some meds having said that...

(is this a good one too?)

machadinha · Jan 4th, 2008, 05:47

One of the best posts I ever read here (in reply to some silly flame war or so) went something like:

Yes. And then maybe not.

Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:25	#1
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	malaria in january in Varanasi? hi i have read so much hyperbole about malaria in india i have no idea what to believe anymore... i will be in india from jan thru mid march and some say its safe then... some say take the meds (and pray they arent worse than malaria) and some say just wear good clothes and deet.... what do you think? k

Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:28	#2
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,432	No, it only occurs on Feb. 29th. Sorry, I'm taking the piss out of you. It's an endless topic with no real answers and there are many threads on it, so search around this site some, you'll find there are many divergent views. Oh, and welcome to IndiaMike ps My usual advice: Speak to your local tropical health clinic or GP specialized in the same, then make up your mind. __________________ 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

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Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:33	#3
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	so, are you saying leave the country on feb 29th ? .... just wondering if anyone has on the ground experience in there at this time of year (health professionals all same the same thing...take the meds...i think thay are afraid of malpractice) k

Jan 2nd, 2008, 23:39	#5
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	yea i have searched around alot! (thatswhy i am soconfused)

Jan 3rd, 2008, 01:39	#8
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	thanks Nick... the brits seem to have a more sensible idea about the risk of malaria than the US... its a long doc but mostly thay seem to be speaking to precautions of all sorts and relative risk as well...

Jan 3rd, 2008, 02:56	#9
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,586	Its a matter of opinion that makes for horse races. Mark Twain Applies especially well to malaria issues..

Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:05	#11
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	thank you

Jan 3rd, 2008, 20:38	#13
13blackcrows Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: west Posts: 23	well, actually im not sure but lariam has more horror storys and some unverified accounts of folks having severe effects.... i have decided to take some meds having said that... (is this a good one too?)

Jan 4th, 2008, 05:47	#15
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,432	One of the best posts I ever read here (in reply to some silly flame war or so) went something like: Yes. And then maybe not.

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