Malaria Risk In Kerala

seventies'hippy · Dec 26th, 2004, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardseco

70's your link is dead. ..

Thanks, try again Here andhere

Peyompian · Jan 10th, 2005, 03:26

Hmmm... so plenty of Gin & Tonic won't do it?

Ikuru · Jan 10th, 2005, 06:35

I myself would Not take any pills. I dont have homeinsurance either.
When it comes down to facts I Think I have read that Kerela has the Least malaria in India.

Enjoy your trip and use the force.

stinkhorn · Jan 11th, 2005, 21:47

Apparently (according to the link below) it is possible to build up an immunity to malaria if you live in an infected area for long enough! This said, I am going to seriously look into the pros/cons of pills as it does seem, as edwardseco pointed out, that "Its a completely different issue for the local population as opposed to short term visitors but that does tend to be missed.."

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidan...chk=dJQF %2BR

Apart from malaria, does anyone have any advice/experiences on precautions of Dengue Fever as it sounds 'orrible?

Peyompian · Jan 11th, 2005, 22:30

The best protection is to avoid mosquitos. Netting when you sleep. Repellant when you're out in an area with them. There is no vaccine for Dengue Fever. One is in the works but won't be available for about 5 years. Welcome to the tropics

goangoangone · Jan 12th, 2005, 10:19

I seem to get bitten whether I use repellant or not. Some people are tastier than others. My friend's wife just left after 3 weeks without a single bite. Locals just laugh as they're not on the menu.

stinkhorn · Jan 12th, 2005, 21:23

When I've been in Europe, I seem to get bitten no matter how hard I try not too!!! Little b******s!!! Don't fancy my chances in India at all!!!

Do the numbers of mosquitos increase significantly during/after the monsoon period (Kerala particularly)?

ABCDguy · Jan 17th, 2005, 01:58

FWIW, my niece, who has lived her entire life in India, got malaria last year. Most likely, the bite occurred while she was visiting an area outside of Mumbai. She was hospitalized for four days. So don't believe that the native population doesn't get malaria. They can and do. Fortunately the local medical personnel recognize malaria and treat it quickly. The same might not be true for you, if you get malaria in India and seek treatment in the West. This scenario happened to a friend's coworker (got malaria in SE Asia, returned to the US, doctors couldn't figure it out...finally a doctor of Indian origin saw him and diagnosed it as malaria).

snowcrab · Jan 17th, 2005, 04:42

What are the symptoms of malaria? I heard it could keep coming back after the first episode had been shaken off. I had a fiveday bout of what I identified as "flu" shortly after, I got to India, figured I had just been in the twenty one day incubation period when I came and it had just caught up with me.

No biggie, just threw it off (much easier in nice warm dry South India than in the cold wet north I can tell you) and got on with having fun. But I also got just eaten alive by mosquitos in India. I was just a big pink popsicle for them. (Yes, the locals laughed. LOL)

So now I am a little worried I might have brought something back everytime everytime I feel a little "fluish" at home.(Skinned on home just days before the big SARS scare broke out also, so that's fun for contemplation too.)

I'm not real paranoid about it. I just don't think anyone can avoid thinking about health issues as anything but planetary issues these days. And I can't help but think the planet's health itself may may be the issue. Never felt closer to mother earth than in India. Could see Rama striding from powerpoint to powerpoint across the landscape, but didn't feel particularly close to him. So on balance I come back ahead, with more things to worry about but with another point of view from which to see them, in which they look much smaller. Even if I did get malaria I think the risk would be well worth it and would do it again in a minute. Some things are just worth doing whatever the risk.

edwardseco · Jan 17th, 2005, 09:48

ABCD, the symptoms vary. I don't recall a lot aside from not wanting to live but that goes for a lot of things like paratyphoid. I didn't ask anybody to kill me like someone I knew who caught the pt. Was offended by the doc saying it was a mild case. On the good side I dropped 20 pounds in 8 days and people asked if I had been to a fat farm.

Also, 70's gracias amigo..

mikeIndia · Jan 30th, 2005, 02:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laerke

We are going to India (most of the south) And we are not planning on taking any anti-malaria pills - our doctors told us we didn't need to. But then I read this and I get second thoughts...
Isn't there a site somewhere were you can see updated info on where in India there is malaria?

I don't wish to cast aspersions on your doctor's credentials but
the tropical disease specialist here in CANADA says you must
repeat MUST take them in addition to taking every conceivable
precaution against being bitten...

Citronella, DEET, nets, coils and air conditioning...

The liver is a non-regenerating organ.

Good luck and safe travels

specialist here in CANADA says you must
repeat MUST take them in addition to taking
every conceivable
precaution against being bitten...

Citronella, DEET, nets, coils and air conditioning...

Ikuru · Jan 30th, 2005, 04:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeIndia

I don't wish to cast aspersions on your doctor's credentials but
the tropical disease specialist here in CANADA says you must
repeat MUST take them in addition to taking every conceivable
precaution against being bitten...

[/b]

But then again that doctor probalbly would never even set foot in india himself/herself.

goangoangone · Jan 30th, 2005, 21:31

http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm

dhemmerling · Jan 30th, 2005, 23:34

For those of you searching for answers on Malaria, I encourage you to do your research thoroughly before taking action. There is a lot of misinformation, fear mongering, and bad advice going around. As far as finding medication that is suitable and affordable, DO NOT read posted messages that use ambiguous references to "Malaria medication". There are several different types of malaria medication available and people who do not post the EXACT name of the medication that they are taking are doing no favours to the people who are researching accurate information on Malaria. Please be specific. Malarone is only available in the US and Canada and seems to have the least side effects (remember its a new drug). Mefloquine is the worst of the bunch but may work for short term stays in Malaria infested countries. We are in India now and heading to Africa. You can buy Mefloquine in India cheap under the brand name Mefloc. Chloroquine and Progaunil Hydrochloride are also available. My advice is to try to find Malarone at a good price if you are really worried about Malaria.

Cheers

goangoangone · Jan 31st, 2005, 21:25

Malarone is available in the UK but expensive
Here's more info
http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/diseases/index.html

Jan 10th, 2005, 06:35	#18
Ikuru the only "end" is "you" Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: infront of the screen Posts: 1,913	I myself would Not take any pills. I dont have homeinsurance either. When it comes down to facts I Think I have read that Kerela has the Least malaria in India. Enjoy your trip and use the force. __________________ http://www.ikuru.se My art.

Jan 12th, 2005, 10:19	#21
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,535	I seem to get bitten whether I use repellant or not. Some people are tastier than others. My friend's wife just left after 3 weeks without a single bite. Locals just laugh as they're not on the menu. __________________ GoanGoan......here

Jan 30th, 2005, 23:34	#29
dhemmerling Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1	Do your research For those of you searching for answers on Malaria, I encourage you to do your research thoroughly before taking action. There is a lot of misinformation, fear mongering, and bad advice going around. As far as finding medication that is suitable and affordable, DO NOT read posted messages that use ambiguous references to "Malaria medication". There are several different types of malaria medication available and people who do not post the EXACT name of the medication that they are taking are doing no favours to the people who are researching accurate information on Malaria. Please be specific. Malarone is only available in the US and Canada and seems to have the least side effects (remember its a new drug). Mefloquine is the worst of the bunch but may work for short term stays in Malaria infested countries. We are in India now and heading to Africa. You can buy Mefloquine in India cheap under the brand name Mefloc. Chloroquine and Progaunil Hydrochloride are also available. My advice is to try to find Malarone at a good price if you are really worried about Malaria. Cheers

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Jan 10th, 2005, 03:26	#17
Peyompian Baron of Benaulim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Goa Posts: 174	Hmmm... so plenty of Gin & Tonic won't do it?

Jan 11th, 2005, 21:47	#19
stinkhorn Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Leicester Posts: 37	Apparently (according to the link below) it is possible to build up an immunity to malaria if you live in an infected area for long enough! This said, I am going to seriously look into the pros/cons of pills as it does seem, as edwardseco pointed out, that "Its a completely different issue for the local population as opposed to short term visitors but that does tend to be missed.." http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidan...chk=dJQF %2BR Apart from malaria, does anyone have any advice/experiences on precautions of Dengue Fever as it sounds 'orrible?

Jan 11th, 2005, 22:30	#20
Peyompian Baron of Benaulim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Goa Posts: 174	The best protection is to avoid mosquitos. Netting when you sleep. Repellant when you're out in an area with them. There is no vaccine for Dengue Fever. One is in the works but won't be available for about 5 years. Welcome to the tropics

Jan 12th, 2005, 21:23	#22
stinkhorn Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Leicester Posts: 37	When I've been in Europe, I seem to get bitten no matter how hard I try not too!!! Little b******s!!! Don't fancy my chances in India at all!!! Do the numbers of mosquitos increase significantly during/after the monsoon period (Kerala particularly)?

Jan 17th, 2005, 01:58	#23
ABCDguy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 8	FWIW, my niece, who has lived her entire life in India, got malaria last year. Most likely, the bite occurred while she was visiting an area outside of Mumbai. She was hospitalized for four days. So don't believe that the native population doesn't get malaria. They can and do. Fortunately the local medical personnel recognize malaria and treat it quickly. The same might not be true for you, if you get malaria in India and seek treatment in the West. This scenario happened to a friend's coworker (got malaria in SE Asia, returned to the US, doctors couldn't figure it out...finally a doctor of Indian origin saw him and diagnosed it as malaria).

Jan 17th, 2005, 04:42	#24
snowcrab Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alberta, Can Posts: 1,053	What are the symptoms of malaria? I heard it could keep coming back after the first episode had been shaken off. I had a fiveday bout of what I identified as "flu" shortly after, I got to India, figured I had just been in the twenty one day incubation period when I came and it had just caught up with me. No biggie, just threw it off (much easier in nice warm dry South India than in the cold wet north I can tell you) and got on with having fun. But I also got just eaten alive by mosquitos in India. I was just a big pink popsicle for them. (Yes, the locals laughed. LOL) So now I am a little worried I might have brought something back everytime everytime I feel a little "fluish" at home.(Skinned on home just days before the big SARS scare broke out also, so that's fun for contemplation too.) I'm not real paranoid about it. I just don't think anyone can avoid thinking about health issues as anything but planetary issues these days. And I can't help but think the planet's health itself may may be the issue. Never felt closer to mother earth than in India. Could see Rama striding from powerpoint to powerpoint across the landscape, but didn't feel particularly close to him. So on balance I come back ahead, with more things to worry about but with another point of view from which to see them, in which they look much smaller. Even if I did get malaria I think the risk would be well worth it and would do it again in a minute. Some things are just worth doing whatever the risk.

Jan 17th, 2005, 09:48	#25
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,141	ABCD, the symptoms vary. I don't recall a lot aside from not wanting to live but that goes for a lot of things like paratyphoid. I didn't ask anybody to kill me like someone I knew who caught the pt. Was offended by the doc saying it was a mild case. On the good side I dropped 20 pounds in 8 days and people asked if I had been to a fat farm. Also, 70's gracias amigo..

Jan 30th, 2005, 21:31	#28
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,535	http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm

Jan 31st, 2005, 21:25	#30
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,535	Malarone is available in the UK but expensive Here's more info http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/diseases/index.html

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