Anti malaria tabs

[gm47]

I had a bad experience taking anti malaria tablets previously when travelling in S.E. Asia, ended up not bothering with them.
According to the Gov website they're a must when visiting the Philippines, has anything improved in the last few years, are they easier to take with less side effects or is it safe enough not to bother ???
I've no intentions of visting anywhere other than the regular tourist spots.

Any opinions ?

[Admin]

I never had a problem with the medication, but I gave up after a week as I think all the Mosquito's had been eaten by the Filipino's ;D ;D

People have recently died in the UK coming back from the Philippines, so it is always better to be safe than sorry, and follow the instructions to the letter.

Once you've been their a week and find none, then consider stopping, but if your out near fresh water, be careful.

Speak to your GP about your last problem as their are so many varitities around these days.

Also make sure your all your injections are up-to-date. Catch Hepatitis due to a small cut & you've got it for life.

[gm47]

Thanks for that Keith, maybe I should just go to Brighton for the week !!! ;D

[Admin]

Not the Gay Festival I hope !! :o :o ;D

[gm47]

Definitely not...didn't even know that it existed .....but you do !!!! ;D ;D ;D

[Admin]

I have a couple of member's on my other site that live there, they reckon it is the US version of LA :-/

I wouldn't go there either, earthquakes as well as shirt lifters. ;D

Bugger!! The PC brigade will be here any minute ::)

[SteveB]

OK Malaria tablets.
Have to agree with gm47, been travelling the world for the past 13 years, Africa, Asia, Carribean etc, first time I went used the tablets and spoilt everything for me, no taste with anything, haven't taken them for 12 years, ( touch wood ), no problems.
Just have to be careful what you eat or drink.
If it looks dodgy, don't touch it.
Big problem is that everyone drinks bottled water, then forget about the ice, the biggest problem is the ice, In PH most of the ice nowadays is purified water, however if you go to outlying areas it may well not be.
Also the salads, all salads are washed, again if the area is abit out of the way, then the water could have a problem.
Common sense, be careful.
Malaria can kill.

[butters]

I have just been to the doctors to get all my injections , as i am leaveing for davao on the 14jan 05. I was told not to take malaria tablets just to take a insect spray with me and spray my arms and legs at night . I got one from Boots chemists £5 pounds , it looks good no smell or anything and safer than tablets.

[peterdavid]

Yep, best option I'd say. I never bothered with malaria tablets. However, never been to davao (I'm far too much of a chicken, despite the undoubtedly character building fun one can gain from a thoroughly good kidnapping), so don't know what it's like there. But during my time there, I never took 'em, and just tried to stay careful (if it looks dodgy, don't eat it, etc). Depends what you're into - if you're the sort who likes to 'crocodile dundee' it through the philippine jungles, then you should probably take them, but if you stick to the main cities, they're probably not that essential.

[Admin]

No mosquitos in Davao, they've eaten them all ;D

Be very careful with your safety there, never go out alone. The Home Office tell you NOT to go, and you will not be represented by the goverment if you are kidnapped, or anything.