I know this topic gets beat to death at times on this board,
and I did look to see if this topic was covered recently,
but I have a specific question regarding malaria in Taman
Negara National Park in Malaysia. We're going there around
the end of July, and I talked to a travel nurse who
recommended we take larium. I've heard of the side effects
and would rather not take it if the risks are low. So my
question is, what are the maleria risks in T.N. this time of
year, am I fine with deet, or should we take the medication
anyways? Also may go to Cameron Highlands. I appreciate
your responses.
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Don't get too worried, Sam. Malaria is BEST prevented with
a repellent based on di-ethyl-toluamid (DEET)of a high
percentage (20 % or more). Any other medication is helpful
and won't do any harm. From what I've heard Lariam is the
better product compared to Chloroquine, although everyone
seems to shiver with the thought about possible side
effects. They probably exist, I dunno, but I have never
experienced anything. What you cld do though is just take
the Lariam with you because - so I'm told - it might also
help take care of the first symptoms, should there be any.
I am not a doctor by any means; I am just passing on the
info people gave me. Also, on later trips to Sulawesi,
Belize a.o. I have never taken anything anymore....
Happy travels!
Rather than get amateur advice from God knows whom, why
don't you just sleep outside next to the water, naked as a
jaybird and invite the malarial mosquitos to swarm all over
your body.
I live in Malaysia and I have been to Taman Negara many
times. Malaria is not a problem there. Just use an insect
replellant and you will be OK. Preferably bring a
repellant with you from your home country, 'cos Deet is
not available here in M'sia. Cameron H'lands - don't worry
at all about mossies.
Enjoy your trip.
Rather than give smart-ass, derogatory, worthless comments
to sincere questions, why don't you just shut the hell up,
leave this site for good, and invite other asshole idiots
like yourself to go with you and leave the rest of the site
better off without you?
Thanks for the above comments, except no. 2 - I feel
compelled to elaborate based on your condescending
response. I wouldn't have asked for a second opinion from
complete strangers except that when i talked to this nurse,
she read straight from a cdc sheet and didn't seem to
demonstrate any real knowledge of travel health. This was a
travel nurse at a university health clinic. As a student, I
can't afford to run to a couple more doctors until I find
one that knows what he/she's talking about, that can cost
lots of money when you don't have health insurance and take
monetary resources away from my trip. Chances are they'd
probably recite me information from the same sheets anyways,
so why not get some information from people that may have
been there firsthand? I hardly think that someone
reciting a government fact sheet can tell me everything
there is to know regarding travel health. Richard, I
suggest you think about your words a little before you make
assinine, inappropriate remarks to people with serious
concerns.
Here's an alternative. This site gives verrrry detailed
information on all travel destinations, including info. on
malaria and all the other diseases you might encounter.
http://www.tripprep.com/index.html
I shared your reservations as you about Larium, but took it
for five months, with no side-effects other than a bit of gut
ache the day after each dose.
Just read an article about Larium in a leading Danish
newspaper. Seems that in Denmark, about 3% of users of
Larium suffer from poor to bad side effects, some 3 times as
many as other malaria preventatives. Problem is, though,
that these side effects are lasting, long after one has
stopped taking Larium, perhaps for the remainder of one's
life. The message to me, and which I offer here, is that,
yes, Larium can be perhaps of no danger to you but if you
notice the typical syptoms of these bad effects (I won't
list them here, because I am not sure of all of them) then
stop taking it immediately.