Malaria Risks

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BIG TED

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Jul 6, 2006

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• Jul 6, 2006

• #1

Hi, we will be travelling to Costa Dorada in September and have been advised to take malaria tablets by our G.P. The first time we travelled to DR we took the tablets but found the side effects caused us problems. Can anyone please advise if it is really necessary to take these, and if it is, the best type to take to cause least side effects.

Many thanks

 

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drtampa

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Oct 1, 2004

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New Ulm, TX

• Jul 6, 2006

• #2

We have been numerous times to the north coast with no problems. That said, we had a friend who worked at Jack Tar and lived at another Occidental Hotel in PD. Last Christmas he bacame ill with malaria and wound up in a Santiago Hospital. Very unusual but it can happen.

 

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Emma22

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Jun 13, 2006

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• Jul 6, 2006

• #3

MY GP didn't mention Malaria??? Emma;-)

 

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Jostan

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Jun 17, 2006

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #4

Never heard of malaria on the north coast, sometimes there are SOME cases of malaria in Punta Cana, altough I doubt these cases will be enough to describe a malaria drug, as you sad the malaria drug can have some very bad side effects and they normally only prescribe it if it's really necessary (for example if you stay les then 3/4 days in a malaria area, then they dont prescribe malaria pills)
As far as I know, there is only malaria (on a consistent basis) in the middle of the DR, close to the border with Haiti (small area).
Here in Holland they dont advice you to take malaria pills for the DR, unless you go to that area (but hardly anybody is going there, it's not a tourist place)

But DO you use insect repellent, with 30% DEET, especially during sunset, also try to cover your feet/ankles by this time.

 

P

PJT

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Jan 8, 2002

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #5

BIG TED said:

Hi, we will be travelling to Costa Dorada in September and have been advised to take malaria tablets by our G.P. The first time we travelled to DR we took the tablets but found the side effects caused us problems. Can anyone please advise if it is really necessary to take these, and if it is, the best type to take to cause least side effects.

Many thanks

Click to expand...

If you still have doubts, consult a doctor that "specializes in travel medicine". The medic will know if it is really necessary to prescribe anti-malaria medication. It will based on the region you are traveling and a medication with the least side-effects that will suit you should he/she advise use.

Regards,
PJT

 

Hlywud

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Jan 1, 2002

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Member of DR1 since 2002

www.beyondthebeach.ca

• Jul 7, 2006

• #6

Malaria

A topic asked about frequently, PJT is correct check with a doctor.
Alerts are usually posted by the PHAC and CDC for Noeth American travellers when necessary, the north coast has not been included in recent alerts. I see no alerts now for the DR.

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/pal_mal_e.html


http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/disease.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/caribean.htm

 

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Dolores1

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May 3, 2000

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #7

This topic was discussed recently. The conclusion was that no, it is not necessary, says the Center for Disease Control of the US.

See http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50830&highlight=malaria

 

Hillbilly

Moderator

Jan 1, 2002

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #8

44 years and counting

I have lived in Mao, Sosúa, Santo Domingo and Santiago for long, extended periods of time, with and without mosquito netting. (With in Mao, without in Sosúa, Santiago, and Santo Domingo).

No medicine. No malaria. I do use some sort of bug repellant when I/we go golfing.

When i was in agriculture, i used long sleeved shirts.

No, I would not recommend taking medicine for a short stay. Not even in Monte Cristi, IF you can stay sprayed or covered in sunscreen....

In the morning and evening the bug repellant is needed around the ankles and the backs of arms.

Enjoy your fun in the sun!!.

HB

 

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Bob K

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Aug 16, 2004

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #9

Some of us are much "sweeter" then others. I never leave the house with out my "od de deet" applied to exposed skin. Still get a couple of bites, but not too bad. Don't take meds. It is really not a problem.

Bob K

 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #10

Eau de Deet: Maybe we can get a copyright on it!!

Golf? Call?

Hello??

HB

 

B

BIG TED

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Jul 6, 2006

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #11

BIG TED said:

Hi, we will be travelling to Costa Dorada in September and have been advised to take malaria tablets by our G.P. The first time we travelled to DR we took the tablets but found the side effects caused us problems. Can anyone please advise if it is really necessary to take these, and if it is, the best type to take to cause least side effects.

Many thanks

Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone who replied, we've taken your comments on board and have decided not to take the malaria tablets.

Here's to a great holiday.

Big Ted

 

Hillbilly

Moderator

Jan 1, 2002

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• Jul 7, 2006

• #12

If you play golf, give us a nod, okay?

HB

 

B

Bob K

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Aug 16, 2004

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• Jul 8, 2006

• #13

Hillbilly said:

Eau de Deet: Maybe we can get a copyright on it!!

Golf? Call?

Hello??

HB

Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea to me. Currently back in the states but will be there full time starting august 14th. Golf for sure.

Bob K