Malaria tablets

[oldmegan]

Ok, we are going on a cruise out of Acapulco, down the coast of Mexico, through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and then to the Caribbean. My blurb from the cruise company says that malaria tablets 'may be advisable'. My friend has recently been on the same cruise and said that no one on the ship that she spoke to had taken any medication. My problem is that, I always get bitten by mossies, but I am apprehensive about side effects from malaria tablets. I have started taking Vitamin B complex tablets, as advised by mates, as they are supposed to make your skin give off a smell that mossies don't like and also have got Avon Skin So Soft products, that also have been recommended in the same way. The vitamin pills are making me feel nauseous already after a few days and now I have just read an article in Which magazine that emphasises how serious malaria can be. It also says that the most effective tablets, without side effects, cost �90 for a two week course. I'm seriously confused, please help!!

[JK2]

Depends on what you think the risk is of getting Malaria whether you take the tablets or not. Most places don't insist on it, only recommend. You can check up on the internet for the different countries you are visiting to see what they recommend & how serious the current threat of Malaria is. Go on the Foreign office site for instance. It may be worth spending half an hour checking up just to give you peace of mind.

[dazf]

i have been to panama,, and been to the canal, which is beautifull and u will enjoy urself,,

most of the canal area is ok and free of mossies.

but go to the doctors as well they can also give u help and advz if u need any medication or jabs for ur trip..

[KARL]

You are correct to see mosquito attack as the crux of the matter. Travel companies are bound to tell you to take tablets for the same reason tumble dryer makers tell you you should not put your pet in there to dry it off - litigation. See if you can't get Mosquito Milk (tropical version) in Boots or similar, this is a very good repellent. Use it on all exposed skin between dusk and dawn, by running a stripe behind ears, across forehead and cheeks, down both sides of arms and legs. Take with you or buy there a good insect spray and spray under ceiling (particularly corners), under/underside of all furniture and around windows and doors. Sleep with doors and windows either fully screened or else closed. I have spent something like a decade in total in malarial areas and neither I, my family or visitors have had malaria - we judge the precautions effective. People living in these areas do not take anti-malaria tablets. It is on UK doctors' check list to recommend them (they give no other advice as standard).

[KARL]

You are correct to see mosquito attack as the crux of the matter. Travel companies are bound to tell you to take tablets for the same reason tumble dryer makers tell you you should not put your pet in there to dry it off - litigation. See if you can't get Mosquito Milk (tropical version) in Boots or similar, this is a very good repellent. Use it on all exposed skin between dusk and dawn, by running a stripe behind ears, across forehead and cheeks, down both sides of arms and legs. Take with you or buy there a good insect spray and spray under ceiling (particularly corners), under/underside of all furniture and around windows and doors. Sleep with doors and windows either fully screened or else closed. I have spent something like a decade in total in malarial areas and neither I, my family or visitors have had malaria - we judge the precautions effective. People living in these areas do not take anti-malaria tablets. It is on UK doctors' check list to recommend them (they give no other advice as standard). If you have chills/fever or cold/flu symptoms with 4-6 weeks of return, insist on a malaria test - simple and quick.

[JERRYK]

donating blood wll be a nono after visiting areas that have a chance of being in contact with said bugs.

[auntiebertie]

Suggest you go to http://www.cruisecritic.com and click on the word Boards at the top,, then scroll down to Ports of Call and select Panama - sure there will be lots of questions about this topic. You have to become a member [free] to submit or to read the incredibly useful boards regarding your cruise line - you don't say who you are cruisng with.....