malaria/mosquitoes/travel-old queries

kyasbaby

2006-03-20 13:30:10

Been there for a week, didn't see more than 1 mosquito

We didn't take the tablets, at our own risk, but we're pretty sure we weren't bitten. Used the mosquito machine on the room and repellent at night and felt safe. Also used long sleeves at night most times, but noticed most brit tourists not being so careful. I don't know if that makes any difference. The locals don't worry about mosquitos and seldom get bitten by any. Our goan driver laughed and said we perhaps us "whites" (or ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â«halloÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â») have "tender meat" and that's why mosquitos prefer us

crystalscan

2006-03-21 14:12:09

Hi could someone give me some info on malaria tablets, as i am totally confused (sorry about spelling on these products) I was given 500mg of Chloroquine tablets (bought from Goa) which i took one, my 9 year old son took one, but my 6 year old would not take it, so i have been out today and got him Nivaquine syrup. I was told by the chemist that we should all be taking Paludrine 2 daily........ is this necessary, or do you think just the once a week tablet is enough.
Thanks crystal

Rach9

2006-03-21 14:53:54

Anybody with Psoriasis had probs with anti malarias?

yummymummy

2006-03-21 15:06:33

Anybody with Psoriasis had probs with anti malarias?

My dad has got psoriasis quite badly and has to take tablets daily and put cream on daily and he took the anti malaria tablets whilst he was on holiday in Goa 2 years ago.
The sun is meant to be really good for psoriasis and my dads consultant said to him he needed a break in the sun when it was really bad. So he treated himself to a Goa holiday

Prettypollycat

2006-03-21 15:10:16

Hi Rach
my hubby has psoriasis and takes allopurinol twice daily for this.
He's taken Malaria tablets in the past together with the allopurinal without any problems, but we've haven't taken any mosquito tablets at all the last few times we've been to Goa.

Like kyasbaby, we didn't see many mosquitos at all (Feb/March 06), and luckily for us, they don't seem to bite us.
Must be something about not going for 'bad meat'....

My hubby always wears long trousers and socks at night, I usually wear trousers and we always put the Avon body oil on as well as Autan or equivalent.

Just a thought....
If it is 'recommended' by WHO to have certain vaccinations and to take malaria tablets, and you don't have/take them, how does this affect your insurance policy?

Polly

Thirdstage

2006-05-29 07:47:36

Malaria threat

http://oheraldo.in/node/14387

The above link is from today's Herald. Is there a real threat of Malaria or is it just scaremongering?
Many people do not take precautions against malaria, but would those same people change their attitude if the risk increased?

lezlie

2006-05-29 08:53:18

Malaria Is a nasty disease and kills millions of people every year but, lets get this in prospective one case reported is not an epidemic.

I don't think the paper is scare mongering, just reporting and advising what precautions to take.

lez

Big Neil

2006-05-29 10:03:11

I just read an article in The Sunday Times a few weeks back about cases of Malaria in the UK having risen by a HUGE amount, I can't remember exactly how much but was alarming.

This is due to the amount of cheap holidays being offered to India, Morocco, Ghana , etc.

It seems that UK tourists are the worst culprits for NOT taking precautions. I've met UK tourists in Goa who don't take them because they are told by locals that you don't need them! Much as I like Goan people, I would never take that sort of advice by them. I've also been told that there is no Rabies either! Not true.

It's up to the individual, make your mind up.

A friend of mine was in Singapore for 3 nights working with a theatre group about 10 years ago and got bitten by a mos'. 5 years later he died (aged 40) from malaria complications (he was diabetic also).

goandentist

2006-05-29 10:12:41

Let me put it this way, your chances of getting malaria are the same as you getting hit by a bus ! I stay far away from Malaria pills. Living in Goa all my life neither me nor anyone in my family have ever suffered from malaria. Dont get paranoid !

Big Neil

2006-05-29 10:32:44

Precaution is the best advice. Medication wont hurt you!

Regarding health in India someone said to me it pays to be paranoid. I agree.

Avoid being near mosquitoes, wash your hands, be careful what you eat etc.

What might not affect a Goan resident might well be different from a tourist from UK. (And vice versa). Also if you are staying in the supposed safe area Agauda-Baga there might be less risk but you may decide to do a jungle trip and stay overnight in an area where there are mos'.

Other Mosquito Related Illness

Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) spreading across Goa. Article in Herald.

I spoke to a German tourist in January who got Elephentiasis from very few bites it looked really really bad! He had only been staying in Goa for a month. Supposedly you are only supposed to get this after prolonged exposure to mos', he hadn't!

goandentist

2006-05-29 10:41:49

Point taken big neil. I have just returned from Tanzania ( my 2nd trip ) one of the most dangerous places for malaria. The locals get it at least 2 times a year but i still havent taken any malaria pills. Creams and Mozzie Liquidizer yes , but no meds.

I guess European blood is sweeter :o)

Regards

lezlie

2006-05-29 10:57:35

Pleased to meet you Neil, I don't take anti-malaria tablets either, in 21 years of travelling the world in the merchant navy I only know one person to get malaria .

Myself and most tourists are more concerned with the big red itchy blobs on their bodies than catching malaria.

I think your wrong Ambert Mosquitoes are omnivores and you Indians eat too much sugar "Carbohydrates ", that's why the little beggars come after me and I'm not very sweet. :rofl

john woody

2006-05-29 18:58:10

hi all we went to goa for the whole season this time and spoke to a lot of people getting lots of advice and one thing we found out was that you can buy anti malaria tablets in local chemists in goa a one week tablet for one rupee . the same person that told us about this had just visited the widow of a local who had recently died from malaria .

1 rupee for 1 tablet a week it speaks for it self . anita

lezlie

2006-07-14 07:27:53

malaria...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

interesting artical on malaria...

lez

GeeDubya

2006-07-27 11:39:21

..and another (just to muddy the waters).

http://travel.independent.co.uk/asia/article1165581.ece

haddojetty

2006-07-27 20:23:36

We are travelling to Goa in Feb 07. My son hasn't had his MMR (personal choice). Is there a very large risk of contracting measles in Goa? I suppose I should go ahead and get him the single jab as I'm just too scared to get the MMR done (he is 5).

Fiona

2006-08-06 11:53:54

hi
just noticed this as I was away when you originally posted. Best advice would have to come from your doctor- personally I would say, go for the single jab.

haddojetty

2006-08-07 08:29:35

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. Just got to find a reputable clinic then!

maz.c

2006-08-31 21:38:13

Hi Haddojetty.

Just stumbled across this as I was browsing and I don't know if it will help but I travelled up to Hertfordshire to an excellent clinic for the single jabs for my grandaughter. I don't know whereabouts you are, but please feel free to PM me if you would like the address.

Maz

haddojetty

2006-09-03 18:35:24

Thankyou Maz.c for your kind offer, however I have managed to find a clinic in Hemel Hempstead that will so them, so he will have had his measles shot before we go in Feb. My travel nurse didn't explain to me what anti malarials my 5 year old son will need, surely the adult dosage is too strong for him. Also she said we have to take the weekly and the daily, can I buy them both out there as we are going to be skint otherwise!!

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