malaria medication

[ljkd13]

Hello all,

I will be in Thailand in September and will be staying through probably February or March. I am somewhat concerned with the malaria situation, as I will not be spending all of my time in major cities.

I can buy malaria medication here to take with me and take while I'm there, but it will cost me 300-400 American dollars. Can I get malaria medication there that will work. If so, is it easy to access and less expensive?

We could certainly plan ahead while there, and just buy it when we need it, if that's the best solution.

I really am not interested in getting malaria though, so if buying it here is the safest way, I may have to do that.

Any input is appreciated

-Luke

[synthia]

As far as I know, only the border areas near the Burmese, Lao, and Cambodian borders pose any malaria threat. Check the information on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site. The World Health Organization also provides information.

[ljkd13]

I think the CDC is going to err on the side of "bring everything with you". But, if they have everything I need there, I dont know if it will be worth it to spend so much on malaria medication here.

So, has anyone had experience with getting medication? was it correct? was it inexpensive? did it work? etc?

Thanks again

Luke

[mikecwm]

Unless you ae going close to the boder areas with Burma, Laos or Cambodia, Anti malaria medication is not reccommended - and a waste of money.
Try googling "Thailand Malaria areas map" for details of areas to avoid.
60 million Thai don't take medication.
Keeping arms and neck covered during the mosquito evening hours is fine.
Have fun and don't worry too much.

[synthia]

If you think the CDC is going to err on the side of 'bring everything with you', then you should be reassured, because they say you don't need anything except in the border areas. They actually recommend against taking it if it is not necessary.

The problem with waiting until you need it is that you need to start the medication one week in advance. There is a new medication that you can start only a few days before and take every day, but that is very expensive. First, you don't need it unless you are going to the border areas. If you are going to be living in the border areas, you should discuss which drug is appropriate with a doctor at a travel clinic, not just with your family doctor.

[oddball]

Originally Posted by synthia

If you think the CDC is going to err on the side of 'bring everything with you', then you should be reassured, because they say you don't need anything except in the border areas. They actually recommend against taking it if it is not necessary.

The problem with waiting until you need it is that you need to start the medication one week in advance. There is a new medication that you can start only a few days before and take every day, but that is very expensive. First, you don't need it unless you are going to the border areas. If you are going to be living in the border areas, you should discuss which drug is appropriate with a doctor at a travel clinic, not just with your family doctor.

Synthia is no slouch on these matters , she has been around the mill , if you personaly feel you need a ton of medications , stop being so cheap , cheap can often be fatal in Asia . It would appear that you have already convinced your good self on this matter and no advise is pertenant . I do not beat about the bush , what actualy is , is , live with it or go with your own concience , this forum gives advice as they have personaly found it to be in thier circumstance and knowledge of thier experience ,to further denegrate thier attempt to be of assistance will , shall i say , be rather impertanent of you . All of this forum consists of people who give freely of thier time , to , and do , an excellent job of so doing to the extent of thier 'Personal 'Knowledge . Please take it as such or just 'Go away' , you are insulting peoples freely given acumulated knowledge , i personaly appreciate all of these participants and what i am able to glean from thier extensive acumulation for a data base . Colin

[ljkd13]

Originally Posted by oddball

Synthia is no slouch on these matters , she has been around the mill , if you personaly feel you need a ton of medications , stop being so cheap , cheap can often be fatal in Asia . It would appear that you have already convinced your good self on this matter and no advise is pertenant . I do not beat about the bush , what actualy is , is , live with it or go with your own concience , this forum gives advice as they have personaly found it to be in thier circumstance and knowledge of thier experience ,to further denegrate thier attempt to be of assistance will , shall i say , be rather impertanent of you . All of this forum consists of people who give freely of thier time , to , and do , an excellent job of so doing to the extent of thier 'Personal 'Knowledge . Please take it as such or just 'Go away' , you are insulting peoples freely given acumulated knowledge , i personaly appreciate all of these participants and what i am able to glean from thier extensive acumulation for a data base . Colin

Wow,

I didn't expect to be insulted and chased away for asking a question. I never questioned anybody's judgment, nor did I "denegrate their attempts to be of assistance." Synthia seemed to understand my follow up question, why didn't you?

You make it sound as if I told them their information was wrong and was belligerent about it. If you re-read I think you will find quite the contrary.

And, on a further note. When people ask legitimate questions, then legitimate follow up questions and get attacked for nothing, it does more harm to the board, which I agree, is full of smart people who take time out of their lives to help, than simply posing questions. I think you would have successfully alienated and chased away someone with less thick skin, which is certainly not the goal of the board.

Synthia, if I insulted you, or in any way second guessed your information, I apologize; that was not my intention.

Colin, please stop.

[oddball]

Sorry,i was having a REALY bad day.Colin

[synthia]

Yeah, Colin, you were. It's easier for those of us with a decade or two of travel under our belts to wonder what people are so concerned about, or why they aren't concerned when they should be. I'd rather see someone be worried than be cavalier. I've met people who are taking all the medical precautions lightly, and that's a far worse mistake.

[ljkd13]

Originally Posted by oddball

Sorry,i was having a REALY bad day.Colin

No worries, Colin. I understand how that works.