Malaria tablets in South America?
Hi all, we kind of have a dilemma now! We start our RTW trip from South America (Argentina) and up through all the SA countries up to North America.
We've been told by our GP that we have to take Malaria tablets while we travel through most of South America. Is this really necessary? |
Depends on what you mean by "all the SA countries." Also depends on your personal risk tolerance.
I took antimalarials in all or parts of Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana. Pretty sure I took them through Venezuela and Colombia, too, since I know I was on them coming up through Panama. The prevalence of malaria is way lower than in much of Africa and southern Asia, but it's still worth paying attention. Don't forget to give due consideration to dengue as well. Hope that's helpful. Mark |
We carry Doxicycline, but I haven't bothered anywhere so far from the bottom to Colombia including part of the Pantanal. Risk is seasonal.
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Thank you Mark, we ship our bikes from UK to Argentina - Buenos Aires, then to Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela maybe Panama then ship bikes to Mexico and ride all the way to Canada.
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CDC - Malaria - Travelers - Malaria Information and Prophylaxis, by Country CDC - Malaria - Travelers - Choosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria My personal non medically qualified opinions: I agree with the poster who said it depends on personal risk tolerance. Level of risk is affected by your age, health, etc. Ive been living in South America a long time and have traveled extensively down here (Argentina, Columbia, Bolivia, Venezuela . . .) and I've never used malaria medicine and Ive never had malaria. Honestly I worry more about Chagas than malaria. Well ... not really worry ... but I know what the carrier bugs look like, I avoid them, and I know not to scratch and to carefully clean the site if I get bit. My guess is that you have a bigger chance of getting chikungunya and dengue than malaria. Urban areas have less risk of malaria because of critter control. Higher altitudes have less to no risk cause mosquitos thin out and disappear as altitude goes up. All I really do is use mosquito repellant as needed and try not to get bit, and know symptoms so I can get to a doctor (though that has never been necessary). I believe that keeping your immune system up is always a good idea while traveling ... diet. vitamin C, fiber, probiotics, good nights sleep . . . |
I carried Dox, but didn't take them. Didn't really see any mozzies, so I guess I never thought about it.
Agree about trying to keep your immune system good (sleep is important), but everyone's level of risk management varies. Do what you're comfortable with, and go. |
I have some 300mg Quinine Sulphide tablets BP. Going free if any one want's then. Will only post with-in the royal mail service. As I'm in the UK.
John933 |
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Mark |
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John933 |
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