Malaria
Do people actually take malaria meds while they’re in Vietnam? I know that HCMC and Hanoi are considered to be safe, and that the CDC recommends medication if you’re going to be in “rural” areas. Since, generally, PAPs spend most of their time in malaria-free zones, with the exception of the time spent getting to and from and during their G&R’s, do people just risk it? I’ve either had or am getting the other recommended vaccinations, but wondered about malaria. This wondering, of course, has nothing to do with news of an impending travel date (far from it – still no I-600 to file). Just trying to think of something other than the fact that I’m not going to be in VN anytime soon.
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Etta’s Hats
Where I’ve Been
We didn’t take the malaria meds. We were only in “rural” areas twice – for an orphanage visit and for the G&R – and the area wasn’t even that “rural.” We saw an international specialist before we traveled and he didn’t think we needed them. We traveled in March and hardly saw any mosquitoes. It could be different in the “warmer” summer months (I thought March was pretty darn hot).
We didn’t take the meds. Our Infectious disease doc said that we did not need it, and he was getting paid straight out of pocket. I would definetely get some Lomotil, Cipro, and there is a preventative diarrhea med that we took everyday (can’t remember the name). I never saw a mosquito and we traveled in August. DH got bit 1 day when he didn’t put repellent on, but I never did.
As another single mom, I did take the malaria meds. My thinking was better safe than sorry and that I could not come home and be sick with a new son! That said, I didn’t see a single mosquito and I traveled in Sept.