Malaria tablets in South and Central America

falterego

Heading off to South and Central America next week for 1 year and just wondering what people do about malaria tablets when they are in malaria risk areas for such a long time. Went to a GP weeks ago to get the usual vaccinations and anti-malarials prescription but I went to the chemist yesterday to get the prescription (Malerone) and she said he only gave us enough for 1 month (he wasn't the most helpful or knowledgeable of doctors)!! And that you can't take Malerone for this length of time. They also cost €130 for a 1 month supply so wouldn't even be able to afford them for a whole year! What have other people done in these circumstances? Thanks

Meathlass

falterego wrote: »

Heading off to South and Central America next week for 1 year and just wondering what people do about malaria tablets when they are in malaria risk areas for such a long time. Went to a GP weeks ago to get the usual vaccinations and anti-malarials prescription but I went to the chemist yesterday to get the prescription (Malerone) and she said he only gave us enough for 1 month (he wasn't the most helpful or knowledgeable of doctors)!! And that you can't take Malerone for this length of time. They also cost €130 for a 1 month supply so wouldn't even be able to afford them for a whole year! What have other people done in these circumstances? Thanks

I was in the same position as you. Can't remember the brand I took but it was 90 Euros for 2 months and I had to take one every day. I started taking them in Venezuela when I arrived but they kept making me throw up so I just stopped. In parts of Colombia and Ecuador I took them again but in the end just didn't bother. Only small parts of South and Central America are malarial zones. The most important thing is not to get bitten.

Neamhshuntasach

I'd only worry about malaria tablets when going into a jungle where there is a huge chance you will catch it. The best prevention is to avoid getting bitten as mentioned above. Wear long sleeves in the morning and evenings and also trousers. Shorts aren't really that popular in central and south america anyways unless you wanna look like a proper tourist. But if you wanna wear shorts and short sleeves make sure you cover with a mosquito repellent on exposed parts. Use one that has DEET in it. You can also try taking vitamin b tablets which work for some people. They work for me but i've been taking them most of my life. I rarely get bitten and when i do they don't pierce my skin that bad as i'm pretty dark skinned for a white person. Paler people have softer skin and tend to get bitten more.

falterego

Do you know then if it is possible to buy the anti malaria tablets over there - cos I don't want to get the Malarone over here but might buy some doxycycline or larium or something over there whenever we head somewhere around the Amazon Basin. I was looking at some world health website and it says that some countries in Central America like Nicaragua and Honduras are high risk throughout the entire country - would this be true

preddy

I would check here for affected areas http://www.who.int

I heard that to get infected a Mossi would have to have bitten someone/thing infected and then bite you within a few hours so the chances are pretty low unless you are a high risk area, i met a couple in S.Africa who didnt bother at all and were fine.

Saying that I wont be going without them in affected areas

Meathlass

I sure you already know this OP but malaria isn't the only thing you have to worry about with mosquitos; dengue fever is a real threat in Paraguay and some parts of Brazil. There's no cure or preventative for it so not being bitten in the first place is the way to go. Plus the bites really itch; used to drive me crazy!