My husband and I are traveling to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam next week, and I'm debating on whether or not we need to take Malaria pills. When I was in Thailand last time, I didn't, and I was in the north. It is low season for risk, and I feel like we should be fine not to take the pills- I would prefer not to. Would love to hear thoughts. Side note: I am not asking for travel advice on other products such as Dukerol. Please read the thread before posting.

If in doubt - I do. But best ask a pro, I'd pop into a clinic. They can have long wait times to get in, might try Infinity Travel Clinic.

I was at one yesterday getting my shots, and they wrote me a script, but didn't give me 100% of an answer.

Nope. Typhoid for sure, twinrix, tetanus is what I took

Also, dukarol is a cash grab. Take immodium with you.

Yes to all of the above, Galli! Got my typhoid, twintix and tetanus. Bought my immodium yesterday.

You're set. Everything you could want you can buy in Thailand for a fraction of the cost. Pharmacys are called chemists there. You'll be fine.

I'm just curious as to whether or not I need to take the malaria pills? Would like to get some opinions.

PS.. Galli, you're a friend of Scotty's? That's one of my husband's Besties.

There is no malaria in SE Asia. There's dengue fever but there's no vaccine for that which is why you should buy your bug spray there. It's 100% deet and let me tell you, those Mosquitos know no mercy.

Amazing! I haven't seen Scotty in a few years but yes we are friends.

I'm actually going for my second trip to all the places you listed except for Laos in March.

If the travel clinic prescribed it, then yes I'd be taking it. We went to Thailand but purposefully avoided (as much as one can avoid a mosquito) malarial zones and by looking at the itinerary, we weren't given a script for anti-malarials. If you were, then I'd be taking it. The CDC for examples notes that "all areas except for Vientiane" in Laos have malaria (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/.../travel-vaccines-and.../laos...)

Hi Morag, Yes, but the risk is very low, so if I can avoid taking very harsh medication, then I will. It's a shame that you avoided some areas because of Malaria.. When I was there in 2006, I traveled north to the Hill Tribes and didn't take anything. You can also be smart about prevention without the use of medications.. just sayin'

Agreed, we had our kids with us and chose not to venture to some parts (partially) due to the risk of malaria and partially it was just where we were able to get to in the time we had. Next year we're off to Africa and taking anti-malarials (including the kids) I had a very very bad experience with Larium in India so I'll be looking for alternatives this time!

or, as my friend suggested, just drink a lot of gin and tonics

If you want to pay the cost of the consultation fee at a travel clinic to ease your mind then I'd say do it. But I'm pretty sure they're going to say the same things. I wasn't prescribed malaria pills or dukarol and I was there 2 yrs ago.

" The World Health Organization estimates that in 2012, there were 207 million cases of malaria. That year, the disease is estimated to have killed between 473,000 and 789,000 people...". If the question is simply take a pill or not you need to decide if you're happy to live with the consequence of malaria should you contract it. I've travelled to many malaria zones & taken the medication each time as I personally don't want to live with the consequences. The side effects weren't terrible for me & I would 100% take the medication again.

Tonic was the "first" anti malaria, but the ingredients have changed. Funny though... I had a bad experience with malaria pills and had almost given up - but now there are less harsh, daily doses - make sure to ask for those. I took these for over a year (yes, I understood the risks, but they were smaller than the risk of malaria) and had no side affects the larium gave me.

http://www.drwisetravel.com

all it take is one bite

If you have purchased the malaria pills, then bring them. I believe with Malarone you can use them to treat acute malaria (please check with physician on this one). I used to live in Thailand and travelled to all of the destinations you have listed and never contracted malaria or met anyone who had contracted malaria in SE Asia, which in my mind put the chances quite low, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. I guess in short, if the side effects of the malaria pills outweigh the risks of contracting it (for you) then you'll have your answer. Just be sure to get travel insurance.

I did that trip and never took Malaria pills. Just stay out of the jungle if you're in mostly urban areas you should be fine. Rainy season is the highest risk.

Just got back and my gp who also happens to be a travel illness specialist asked if I'd taken malaria pills before I left and I said no...she just shrugged her shoulders and said if I sidnt go anywhere rural I was fine..just got back from the same trip a month ago ?

I did the same trip a few years back and quit the malorone half way through because of such severe side effects ( night terrors, hair loss, anxiety etc) It was the consenus of the group I was travelling with which included some who had stayed long term in SE asia that the risk was very low. I personally will never take them again unless it is 100 percent required. This being said it is up to you to decide if it is worth the piece of mind that they offer.

the first time my husband and i went we did take the meds with no problems, our second trip we debated if we should. we decided to risk it against the urging of my gp. we were fine. this trip we were mostly on small islands in southern thailand.

I'm here right now.. Not getting bitten much.. Occasionally using mosquito repellant. If you have any other questions, feel free to message me

Ive been here in Vietnam for few weeks now, in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An now and tons of mosquitoes here, buy spare down here, don't know how it is elsewhere in Asia though

No. Never take malaria pills. Unless in somewhere like Borneo.

If you take them with alcohol you go psycho. Bottoms up!

I've been to all the places you mentioned. The pills take different forms, but all of them have negative effects.

I did the exact same trip as you in January. My travel doctor said that it was very unlikely that I would get malaria especially since it's non mosquito season. I bought them anyways as a safety precaution.
1. I didn't have any side effects at all (or none that hampered my travelling experience). If you do end up buying it get the more expensive ones (i think malerone) since the side effects are less drastic (and consume it with fatty foods to help with it's breakdown). Also since you have health coverage you can always take it and assess when necessary (within 3 days of course).
2. As other people have mentioned just get your twinrex and other vaccinations which you have. The only thing to worry about is really dengue fever which can be troublesome. Bug repellent would be the most ideal solution to tackle both.
3. Easiest thing is to avoid wet swampy areas, and I didn't encounter a lot throughout my travels

The risk is low, but there is still a risk. And yes, there is Malaria in south-east Asia: http://gamapserver.who.int/.../Global_Malaria_ITHRiskMap.JPG

Malaria pills do not stop you from getting malaria. It just makes the symptoms less drastic. I lived in Cambodia for a few years and never took anything.
Besides you have a MUCH higher chance of catching Dengue Fever.

I did the same trip and I took Malaria pills while in Laos and Cambodia. I heard of some other people getting it while travelling in Laos in November. I am not sure how bad the mosquitos are in December. Have fun!

Also you can get malarone here in Canada but that is not available in Thailand. If you want those ones, stock up here. If you are okay with doxy (more side effects), then you can pick those drugs up in Thailand.

If you are trekking in the jungle I would take them, the skeeters are pretty nasty there. Most people that take malarone experience no side effects

I can attest that dukoral is not a rip off, it works. I got really sick in Jamaica. A full bottle of immodium did nothing. I was down for 4 days. Did both doses of dukoral before Dominican. Got sick but only 6 hrs. Did dukoral again before Mexico and nothing. I will now always do it. BTW, its cheaper on script than OTC.

Go to a travel medical clinic. They will know exactly what u need.

Hi all, thanks for the input. Janet, I'm ok without dukoral, I have traveled to over 28 countries and have never taken it. I prefer to avoid things like that. Sandra, if you scroll up, you will see that I have ready visited a travel clinic... I was just asking peeps for their own opinions. Thanks so much!

please trust the travel clinic over anecdotal advice from individuals. Immodium and Dukoral are not remotely similar. Just make sure the clinic knows exactly what you are going to be doing and don't let them rush you out the door (and if you aren't sure call them back and make sure they are clear, you've paid for a service).

Dukoral is probably more relevant to you. You have a likely chance of getting diarrhea than anything else.

Hi David, I am not asking advice on anything other than Malaria pills. As I have stated before, I am a seasoned traveler that has never taken Dukoral- and I don't plan on starting. Thanks.

My advice then is to do as the clinic states. They know what other meds you're on and whether there is any issues. I always err on the side of caution than have to suffer later. I've actually seen someone take that chance and was sick for 1/2 the trip and 6 months later.

Kind of a snide reply. I was simply offering advice that is more relevant to your destination considering I lived there I think I know what I'm talking about. But hey enjoy your time on the thunder bucket. Oh yeah and take LOTS of Immodium it really helps.

Not meant to be snide, but I was asking for a specific response on a specific topic. I do appreciate advice of any kind though.

I have also been to Thailand and the other countries before, and was totally good the entire trip with no help from medication. I'll cross my fingers for this one too. Thanks.

Hi Poppy specifically regarding malaria pills you can take them as treatment instead of preventively. So basically bring I think it's 12 with you and if you get sick with malaria like symptoms just assume that you have it and you take 4 a day for 3 days or something like that ask your doctor. That's what my doctor told me it was much healthier and more cost effective and I ended up never having to take them so I just gave them to my cousin who was heading over.