Hi,
I was wondering about opinions of taking Malaria pills when visiting India and in particular Rajasthan in the November/December timeframe.
I am not really seeing useful information online as the advice is often too vague. Apparently there is a Malaria risk but it is lower in the colder months?
I am trying to decide if it's worth taking the pills - any feedback/opinions or what you have decided to do if you are going on a similar trip would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jessica
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
Hola Jessica,
I advise you see your own GP as only they and you know what is necessary in your instance.
Also at the end of the day, its night.
Pingu
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
I went to a specific travel medicine clinic with a plan to travel Nov / Dec in Rajasthan this year and was advised that the reccomendations were that malaria prophylaxis was not needed for a short (2-3 week) trip through the area, however, it is improtant to seek advice from a specialist as it will depend on the exact areas that you are travelling through as the risk changes
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
I was in Rajasthan Dec04Jan05.
I did not take anti-malarials ( I never have), and at that time of year I feel that the precautions of DEET based insecticides and appropriate clothing( particularly after sundown)would suffice .( I have found that fellow Australians are not inclined to take anti malarials given the prevalence of Dengue & Ross River in the tropics, for which there is no preventative medication) I've also found that many people suffer mild but inconvenient reactions,
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
No one on my Rajasthan Safari tour (Dec 01) took malaria pills and we rarely encountered mosquitoes, even at Pushkar and Varanasi.
I suggest Alfresco as being much nicer than evil Deet based repellents - I have never been bitten in 2 years of using it - (and it's good enough for Nicole Kiddman on the "Cold Mopuntain" set apparently...) [url=http://www.alfresco.uk.com/]http://www.alfresco.uk.com/[/url]
Deet based repellents will melt your camera and other plastics and in many cases make your skin (particularly face) sting. Don't count on clothing protecting you as they will suck your blood right through thin fabric.
Have fun, and don't forget a torch for when the power goes off.... Romy
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
Any suggestions re: taking anti-malarial pills for India in March? I'll be in Rajasthan (Rajasthan Explorer) for two weeks, then down to Varanasi and area just west of there for another two weeks. I live in Japan and there are no travel medicine clinics, nor do I have a GP here, not to mention, prices are ridiculously high. I've therefore decided to collect ideas from others who have been and make my decision accordingly!
Any info at all would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Malaria vaccinations for India
I work in a pharmacy and we advise people going to India at any time of year to take anti-malarials. In the particular area you are talking about the recommended prophyllaxis is Chloroquine 300mg weekly (2x150mg tablets). PLUS
Proguanil 200mg daily (2x100mg tablets).These are very cheap drugs. For a two week holiday it would cost you