Malaria tablets: needed all over India?

kukurruku

I know Malaria's been frequently comented here, but I havent found an answer to one question yet: do I need to take them from day 1, arriving to Delhi by the end of September? My doc told me that I could start taking them when arriving to South India, understanding by that anything below the line between Mumbai and Kolkata, more or less. Before getting to Kolkata we'll be travelling in the North.
I'm not a fan of taking medications and had enough with all the vaccinations, so I think that the less, the better, and I'll try to 'combat' mosquitoes by other means... is that safe enough?

K

__________________
The gift of material goods makes people dependent. The gift of knowledge makes them free. (Dr. EF Schumacher)

wonderwomanusa

You need to start the anti-malaria drugs before you leave home! And yes, there's malaria in Delhi...and in most places below 3000 ft.

See if you can tolerate Doxycycline; I found it effective and it didn't give me many problems.

Also, do not go without taking some sort of DEET-containing mossie repellant with you. I did not find that the Indian brands were as effective as the stuff I brought from the US.

Ask at your hotel if you have to worry about Dengue in Delhi -- they had an epicemic of it last winter when I was there. Those mosquitos bite in the daytime, so I had to use the repellant 24/7 while there.

goangoangone

This should answer some of your questions
http://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/index.html

Jeroen

The advice on India largely depends on which doctor you talk to. My 'tropical doctor' told me that in India the only areas with "medium to high risk" are in the far northeast (near Myanmar), and he only prescribed Malarone, which can be used when malaria is detected in the first stages. He also told me India is well-prepared for cases of malaria (for foreigners anyway) and they can help out if you should get it. Note that some malaria medicine is ineffective against certain strains. I travelled 5 months all over north/south India from February to August without using medicine (but using long sleeves, deet and a net at night), and didn't have any trouble. On the road I asked many people if they were 'users', and I guess that less than half were using some kind of medicine. So listen to your doc and decide!

__________________
'To see the world in a grain of sand; and heaven in a wild flower; to hold infinity in the palm of your hand; and eternity in an hour'

kukurruku

Well, I see that opinions are quite mixed up on this subject, even between tropical doctors... In Spain I've been given a brand named 'Savarine'. Anyone knows about it?
Also, anyone knows where could we find an advisable brand in UK and for approximately how much?
Thanks a lot for your comments!

K

freenote

the most common anti-malarial proscribed in the u.k.is cloroquine +proquanil.it costs around £15 for a seven week course ,if my memery serves me well.It's the one I use and have never had a problem with it.

__________________
eyes ,eyes that have seen all , come back to the white chrysanthemum (Basho)

India Edge

Friends: I have heard from several sources that the Avon product "Skin So Soft" is a highly effective mosquito repellant. Obviously this would be much safer than DEET if it were true. Has anyone else heard this or had any experience with it?

__________________
India pics
India vids

skell

I use it on my dog when we're hiking in areas where she can pick up ticks, and it's very effective. It smells nice too.

kailas56

I think alot depends on if you are prone to mosquito bites. Taking garlic helps, odorless Kyolic is a good brand. I traveled in Northern India for 6 weeks in 1997 and never got bit once. Also, putting a little vinegar in your bath water helps.

Bryan

I don't think there is a definitive answer
It's very much a personal choice
I choose not to

Way up the pros and cons
I would advise against taking them as I think the risk is minimal with the usual precautions and if you're careful there is no need to worry
Remember you can't catch it from one bite it takes a lot of bites by infected mossies and if you take precautions you'll be fine

BTW I noticed there was a deet post above
Be aware that there are health implications from using deet over long periods but having it for those exceptional circumstances is a good idea ...Jungle formula is good

Bryan

__________________
Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a' that),
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree an a' that.
For a' that, an a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world, o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that.
- Burns

Anders

One bite from one infected mosquito is enough to catch malaria.

goangoangone

The non-believers should try the quiz
http://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/html/en/quiz/
you only catch it once

kukurruku

So.... how many bites are enough to catch malaria?

K

goangoangone

ONE!

Trenna

i'm leaving for inda in nov so need to get on the malaria tab case, i heard there are some you can't go diving with and i heard it's cheaper to buy tabs out there, is this true or do i need to get down the doccies?