Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Mar 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ireland
Posts: 72
Malaria Tablets

Hello,

I am travelling to SEA (Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore & Indonesia) for 6 months and want to protect myself against malaria. Obviously to follow the strict guidelines I would need to take malaria tablets for the entire duration of my trip, but realistically this is probably unnecessary.

Basically I'm looking for advice from people who have been to any of these countries recently on whether I need to take malaria tablets.

At present I only have a rough itinerary for each country but can be more specific if anyone has any advice.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Mar 2015
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,470
Malaria and malariaprevention medicine are quite complicated topics.

First of all there are at least 5 different malariabug species. Some places in the world have only one specie of this bug, some places several.

There are also a least 5 different medicines preventing malaria currently on the market. Some of malaria bug species some places in the world has developed recistance to some of types of medicine used to prevent malaria. Thus some docktors now recommend a combination of different pills.

Bear in mind also that even taking malaria pills that actually works youre still not 100 % protected.

Bear also in mind that some of the malaria prevention medicines can give relatively heavy side effects.

You should also read about Dengue fever as I think thats a more common disease to catch in SE Asia.

Anyhow here is a link to some malaria prevention medicines with pros and cons and side effects etc issues by US health authorities.

CDC - Malaria - Travelers - Choosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Mar 2015
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Snakeboy has given excellent advice, which is to carefully review all of the information available from trusted sources such as the American Center for Disease Control.

I suggest that after you have done that, and thus become familiar with the general concepts (different types of malaria, urban vs. rural risks, etc.) you then search for a specialized travel medical clinic in your country, and book an appointment there. I'm not exactly sure what is available in Ireland, but I am certain that somewhere in that country you will find a specialized travel medical clinic.

Where I live, there is a tropical disease clinic at one of the major hospitals that also provides consultations to travelers. In Switzerland, where I used to work, Swiss Air Lines runs a travel medical clinic.

What type of prophylaxis (malaria-preventing medication) is appropriate for you will be heavily influenced by what kind of lifestyle you plan to lead whilst on your tour of Asia. If you will be staying in high end hotels, the risk will be lower than if you will be camping. The ratio of time spent in rural areas vs. time spent in urban areas also affects risk. So, when you visit the travel clinic, be prepared to explain what your lifestyle will be on your trip, this will assist the staff in making the most appropriate recommendations to you.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Mar 2015
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Maurice:

One other thing I forgot to mention in the post above: FOR SURE make certain that all of your 'basic childhood vaccinations' have been carried out and are up to date. If you were born after (roughly) 1960, be extra-certain that you have been vaccinated against measles, mumps, tetanus, polio, all those diseases that were once common in Western Europe and North America but are now rarely thought of. Those diseases are still common in lesser developed countries, and the consequences of catching them as an adult are far more severe than the consequences of catching them as a child (and thus developing lifelong immunity).

You might also want to consider getting a series of vaccinations against hepatitis. There are different forms of hepatitis (one transmitted via poor food handling practices, the other via blood and body fluids, etc.). Both require a series of vaccinations.

Finally, primarily for legal reasons (to avoid being refused entry to various countries), you will need to get a Yellow Fever vaccination and to obtain a little card that provides internationally accepted proof of this vaccination.

You can get all the above vaccinations at a specialized travel clinic.

Other, less common vaccinations that you might need, depending again on the rural/urban balance and the fine hotel / camping out balance, include Japanese Encephalitis and (less commonly) rabies and plague.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Mar 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: E Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,266
When I was on my trip a few months ago in Thailand and Laos I used generic atovaquone and proguanil. After I had done a bit of research I found them to be the better choice. They are not the cheapest but you don't have to take them for a long as some of the other types of tablet. Also I only started to take them when I was on the Thai Border with Laos and in Laos as you don't really need then in Thailand, only on the border area
Once I had done my research I ordered them from https://www.doctorfox.co.uk and had them delivered to my home address, very easy to do and hassle free.

Wayne
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Mar 2015
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,470
A travel clinic is of course the best place to go to get information, advice and if wanted medicines and inoculations.
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 52
Hello Maurice,
We never take any tablets for malaria and allways sleep under a impregnated decent mosquito net and use deet spray, but as soon as we get a serious fever we go to a hospital for a malaria check.( happened twice bot both times no malaria). In SE Asia we carry doxycycline and in India paludrine and in central america malarone. Before a trip we allways visit our familydoctor to find the newest info on behalf of that.
We traveled twice SE Asia on a motorbike. each time 5 months and alltogether 3 years in India.Happily the malaria in these area's is not of the falciparum type(the deadly form).
Dengue is more common. I had it once in Laos. Felt like a really old man, but recovered completely.
71 years young now,16 years retired and most of the time with my wife on route on bicycle, motorbike and Landrover
Metita
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
I talked with my doctor before I headed to SE Asia.
He said that normally for 1-2 weeks trip you can take pills, but for extended period it is not wise to eat them, because they are really strong medicines and can cause other problems.

I carried malarone tablets and my doctor said that if I start to have symptoms, then I should take pills and find local doctor who can take tests and see if it is malaria or something else.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 May 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Siem Reap - Cambodia
Posts: 15
Be wise

I think your doctor gave you excellent advice. You can't take anti-malaria tablets for a longer period of time. Apart from the side-effects, they'll ruin your kidneys.
I have been living permanently in SE Asia (and traveling around a lot of my time) for nearly twenty years now, without any prophylaxis. I never caught malaria, nor dengue. But I did get chikungunya (which is similar to dengue) once.
Malaria is only active in certain smaller areas (usually far into the rural countryside), and mainly during the wet season. Dengue is far more an urban disease, and normally much more of a risk for most travelers. But then again, no worry, because there's no vaccine, nor cure.
Nowadays, malaria can also be treated very effectively in a few days.
Hence, I wouldn't worry too much about it all. Just take sensible precautions: long sleeves, some mosquito repellent, and use a mosquito net at night. If things should really go wrong, malaria can be cured.
If you happen to get dengue (or chikungunya), that's the end of the trip. You'll have to sweat it out: (very) high fever for 4-5 days, make sure you drink a LOT of water, take a shower every couple of hours (to cool down), and use a ceiling fan at moderate speed. Once the fever breaks, the muscle pain will kill you. Fly home to recuperate (you'll be feeling terribly weak for a month or two, and the pain can last for up to six months).
Anyhow, let the above be not intimidating: when you take normal and sensible precautions, the risk to get sick is extremely low.
Worry about Delhi-bellie instead. Getting stomach trouble is almost guaranteed on any longer trip in a developing country. :=)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to Prevent and Treat Malaria Global Rescue Staying Healthy on the Road 7 27 Apr 2015 05:51
Anti Malaria medicines monster 4 wheel Overland Travel 4 28 Jun 2014 08:05
Malarone Tablets Dazzerrtw TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 12 21 Jul 2013 03:39
Malaria - resistance to Artemesin Matt Roach Staying Healthy on the Road 2 6 Apr 2012 00:44
Buying malaria tablets in Africa Vleis Staying Healthy on the Road 5 21 Dec 2011 19:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:28.