Anti-Malaria tablets - Any experience/advice?
Discussion
Morning all
I'm off to Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Phangan) and Malaysia (Perhentian Islands) for 3 weeks at the end of the month, and was wondering if PH had any experience with anti-malaria tablets.
We are going to Borneo (climing Kinabalu, pestering Orangutans etc) at the end of the trip so the official line is that we need to take tablets. However, I've read/seen so many conflicting opinions on whether this is necessary,and what the side-effects of the tablets are.
Anyone takend these, if so, which one and did you get any side-effects?
Cheers in advance.
ps I appreciate that asking for medical advice on a car forum might be an odd thing to do. I'll be seeing my doctor next week anyway, but I'm just seeing what experience people have had with these.
I'm off to Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Phangan) and Malaysia (Perhentian Islands) for 3 weeks at the end of the month, and was wondering if PH had any experience with anti-malaria tablets.
We are going to Borneo (climing Kinabalu, pestering Orangutans etc) at the end of the trip so the official line is that we need to take tablets. However, I've read/seen so many conflicting opinions on whether this is necessary,and what the side-effects of the tablets are.
Anyone takend these, if so, which one and did you get any side-effects?
Cheers in advance.
ps I appreciate that asking for medical advice on a car forum might be an odd thing to do. I'll be seeing my doctor next week anyway, but I'm just seeing what experience people have had with these.
Sarkmeister said:
Morning all
I'm off to Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Phangan) and Malaysia (Perhentian Islands) for 3 weeks at the end of the month, and was wondering if PH had any experience with anti-malaria tablets.
We are going to Borneo (climing Kinabalu, pestering Orangutans etc) at the end of the trip so the official line is that we need to take tablets. However, I've read/seen so many conflicting opinions on whether this is necessary,and what the side-effects of the tablets are.
Anyone takend these, if so, which one and did you get any side-effects?
Cheers in advance.
ps I appreciate that asking for medical advice on a car forum might be an odd thing to do. I'll be seeing my doctor next week anyway, but I'm just seeing what experience people have had with these.
Don't cock about with malaria IMO. If it's the dry season and a low risk area, and you are religious about using nets and repellant and cover up at dawn and dusk then I'd consider taking the chance without tablets but (having taken various anti-malarials without I'll effect) I wouldn't risk it.I'm off to Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Phangan) and Malaysia (Perhentian Islands) for 3 weeks at the end of the month, and was wondering if PH had any experience with anti-malaria tablets.
We are going to Borneo (climing Kinabalu, pestering Orangutans etc) at the end of the trip so the official line is that we need to take tablets. However, I've read/seen so many conflicting opinions on whether this is necessary,and what the side-effects of the tablets are.
Anyone takend these, if so, which one and did you get any side-effects?
Cheers in advance.
ps I appreciate that asking for medical advice on a car forum might be an odd thing to do. I'll be seeing my doctor next week anyway, but I'm just seeing what experience people have had with these.
ETA I have met various people who have chanced it and some have got away with it...
i went on holiday to a known malaria-ridden place.
i didn't take any medication and i felt great for the whole holiday.
when i got back it turned out i had contracted malaria, i had a fever for about a week and felt like utter crap. was admitted to hospital. since then i've had further attacks of the infection every few months.
...
whether to take the medicine or not? hmmm, tough decision that one...
i didn't take any medication and i felt great for the whole holiday.
when i got back it turned out i had contracted malaria, i had a fever for about a week and felt like utter crap. was admitted to hospital. since then i've had further attacks of the infection every few months.
...
whether to take the medicine or not? hmmm, tough decision that one...
Bill said:
The medication will depend on the strains of malaria present where you are going.
Good to hear about your experience Use Psychology, although I obviously feel for you, far too many people don't take malaria seriously.
don't worry, I don't actually have malaria... I was just contrasting the risk of a small side effect for a couple of weeks vs the risk of the (potential, I think what I wrote was extreme) consequences of catching malaria... Good to hear about your experience Use Psychology, although I obviously feel for you, far too many people don't take malaria seriously.
I took Doxycycline for my 3 months in Asia although I wasn't really in any real jungle. Malarone is very expensive and I've heard the side effects can be nasty. Obviously the side effects vary from person to person but the 17p per tablet compared to £1.50 or whatever for Malarone swung it for me.
Sarkmeister said:
From the guidelines I've read so far it suggests Doxycycline or Malarone. Doxycycline looks the best at the moment (value/side effects)
Doxy gave me raging heartburn, so bad I had to stop taking them. If you're remotely prone to reflux or indigestion you might want to consider this - it's a well documented side effect.Mrs D took Malarone last time, with no ill effects at all. It will be my choice too, in future. When you compare the cost difference with amount you're laying out to actually go to these place then it doesn't seem so large after all...
Had them a couple of years ago, only side effect for me was nausea from time to time and the craziest nightmares/dreams I've ever had, every single night from taking them two weeks before until a week after getting home. I'd do it again as it's not worth the risk.
Edited to add, it was Malarone I took.
Edited to add, it was Malarone I took.
Edited by APanda on Monday 20th August 12:51
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