I'll be traveling/volunteering in Nicaragua in December. Should I really be taking the malaria pills while I'm there?
Yeah, like I said, I will be traveling to Nicaragua and will mostly stay in Granada for 25 days (both the city and the outskirt of it). Should I really be worrying so much about mosquitoes there? My doctor told me to take malarones everyday while I'm there, but a lot of people who have actually been there are telling me not to worry about it. (and I'm inclined to listen to what they said.)
What do you think? Any thoughts/ experiences/ advices would be appreciated!
Reply to this Hello Cat 😊
Whether to take or not to take the Malaria prevention medication seems to be quite a contraversial issue. I would seek advice from a number of sources to help you decide. Look on the World Health Organisation(WHO) website and call a tropical/travel clinic. They sometimes have a recorded message giving advice about whether and what Malaria prevention to take for the various countries.
If more than one professional says dont take the Malaria medication for a certain country, I generally dont. The medication can be hard on the body. Malarone however has the fewest side effects, but it is quite expensive, compared with its altenatives(which are also effective by the way)
Mel
Reply to this Thanks Mell! Your are always so helpful. 😊
I actually had checked WHO website before, and they don't even require yellow fever vaccine for Nicaragua. This is what they say about malaria:
"Malaria riskpredominantly due to P. vivaxexists throughout the year in 132 municipalities. High risk municipalities are Rosita (RA Atlántico Norte) and Laguna de Perla (RA Atlántico Sur); moderate risk in Bluefi elds, Bonanaza, La Cruz R.G., Prinzapolka, Siuna and Waspan. Cases are reported from other municipalities in the central and western department but the risk in these areas is considered low or negligible. No chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum reported." ()
And Granada doesn't fall under those few high risk area, besides, mortality rate due to Malaria in 2002 was 0%. So I've decided not to take the pills, but I guess I just wanted one last reassurance from someone else.
Reply to this I have also decided to not take the Malaria prevention medication, on my upcomming trip to India. It is a bit scary to go against the advice from some doctors.... I am going to get a good DEET containing spray first thing when I get to India to prevent getting bitten by mosquitos. It is very effective at preventing bites. The non DEET containing stuff we have here in Germany was useless against the mosquitos when I was in Thailand.
If you live in the US there is a very good DEET spray called OFF! on the market.
Reply to this I live in Canada, and I've bought a insect repellent that contains 30% DEET. I too heard that it's quite effective, but my only concern is that your skin will not be happy about it.. hope my skin is tough enough.
Reply to this It didnt do my skin any harm. It may however do some of your clothes and watch strap some harm. It can cause some materials to deteriorate and even fall appart. Maybe there is a list of these materials on the packet?
Reply to this nice to hear that it didn't do any harm on your skin. How long did you use it for? and what percent DEET did your repellent contain?
Reply to this I used it for a month, the last time I was in Thailand. If you want, you can wash it of at night and use a mosquito net impregnated with Permethrin. I just sprayed on more of the DEET spray.
Reply to this Thanks so much for your help, Mell. Appreciate it. 😊
Reply to this I would recommend this stuff you can get at outdoor stores that you spray on your clothes. My man used it on our last trip in Central A. and he did not get bit nearly as much as my lazy ass who thought no ill be fine...We got ours at REI.
S
Reply to this my friend and I are going to be in nicaragua for 9 days. we are only planning on spending 1-2 days on the isla de ometepe, where the malaria pills are advised according to this map: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/central-america/nicaragua/nicaragua-malaria-map.aspx
is it worth it to take the pills if we're only going to be at risk 2 days? any thoughts? does everyone take these pills before going to nicaragua? i'm surprised to see people baring so much skin in there pictures because the thought of getting a single mosquito bite is freaking me out...am i being paranoid?
Reply to this is it worth it to take the pills if we're only going to be at risk 2 days? any thoughts? does everyone take these pills before going to nicaragua? i'm surprised to see people baring so much skin in there pictures because the thought of getting a single mosquito bite is freaking me out...am i being paranoid?
A good mosquito repellant with at least 15%!D(MISSING)EET in it may be enough to protect you. That is what I would do, unless all doctors and tropical clinic experts I speak with say I absolutely need the pills. I would also be aware of the symptoms of Malaria, so you can head to the nearest treatment clinic if you get those symptoms.
Reply to this hello everydoby in Edgard, im from nicaragua, and also im working with a medical team, the malaria tab, is not necesary, but remember nicaragua have tree diferent sites, pacific low lands and volcanos, nort of nicaragua hig moutais, and the caribean side, here well rain to much, almost 10 monts of the year, here to prevent anythin is ok,
but dont wored about the nort and pacific side of nicaragua
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