Cambodia forum

Thanks for that, its all confusing cos some people say take them others say don't bother! Its just malarone is so bloody expensive, and we are not sure if we will just stick to the cities and then you don't need them!

Elisa

Hi elisak,

As steviej says, the best place to start for advice is your doctor.

That said, I'd say if you were just going to Angkor not to worry about malarials. You're far better off taking the usual precautions -- use DEET impregnated repellent, wear long pants and shirts at dusk, and, most importantly, use a mosquito net.

While the consequences of catching malaria can be dire, you should bear in mind that the vast majority of cases in Cambodia are in rural areas well away from medical care. Siem Reap is a large town, with quite good medical care (by Cambodia's standards).

Thanks Bunny!

That's helpful, I am not good with decisions and like you don't really want to take the pills! My boyfriend isn't going to bother with them but I couldn't really make my mind up, we are not going stomping through jungle and rural areas so I guess maybe I will risk it and just cover up!

Thanks for the advice!

Elisa

hi guys!

as steviej says, a trip to the doc to ask can't hurt (except your wallet maybe), but i wouldn't necessarily expect every doctor to have current info on the malaria situation in southeast asia. for some pretty good detailed info, check out this webpage on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/seasia.htm

this will give specific info on where you may or may not need to take anti-malarials, and which one to take depending on which area you'll be visiting. it also suggests who should, and more importantly, who should not take these meds.

i would never be comfortable telling someone else if they should or should not take these drugs, because it is such a personal decision. but i'm quite comfy telling anyone who asks what i do. i don't and have never taken them. i've always felt that the risks from taking these types of meds outweigh the risk of catching malaria. in the six years i've lived in southeast Asia and the two decades i've been travelling there, i've never had a problem and never known anyone else who has had a problem either with malaria.

even if you were to take anti-malarials, you'll still want to follow the advice of Somtam and Bunny and others of covering up and using a liberal amount of a good bug spray to protect yourself. there are other mossie-borne diseases out there as well, including Japanese encephalitis.

elisak, just so you know, the CDC does state that there is malaria risk at the Angkor temple complex. in my two trips there, I took the Somtam/Bunny approach and used lots of bug juice and long sleeves.

i hope that helps. and as stevie says, ....... chill!

Hi Stevie

Thanks for your comments and I have actually been to my Doctor and to be perfectly honest he wasn't very helpful, and couldn't even tell me if there was a risk at Angkor Wat and I have had more advice from this web-site than my GP! He just wanted to know exactly where we were going which when you are travelling about you don't really know!

Somtam

Thanks for your advice and help, I think I will go with yours and others advice and use the sprays and cover up, I just want to have a good holiday!!

Chill!!

Elisa

Hi all!

for anyone in the US who doesn't have a GP, or your GP's not helpful or too expensive, your state's Dept of Public Health should be a really great resource. They run public health clinics that have special travel nurses (at least here in Seattle), who are totally knowledgable and up-to-date about vaccines you need (and DON'T need) depending on where you're going, and they're not expensive like GPs either. they also have all kinds of other information about general travel health, and should be able to answer any and all questions you have.

i'm getting ready for a trip to Cambodia in march, and went ahead and got ALL of my immunizations updated. all in all it cost about $200 for the office visits and vaccines, boosters included (hep A & B combo, typhoid, tetanus, and anti-malarial). I know that might be a little high for some people, but the hep A & B and the typhoid are good for life. the anti-malarial (doxycyclene) was only $30 for 50 pills. I know having to take a pill every day can be annoying, but for me the peace of mind of being protected is way more important. the nurse also gave me a prescription for some anti-biotics, which i'm sure will be nice to have on hand should i need them...


Happy Trails!

- Anna