immunisations

[tracy parrott]

hi

I am hoping to travel to the dominican this October from the UK. We are being advised to take malaria tablets [i have a 5 and 6 year old] anad don't feel very happy about this. are they really necessary? Prompt reply would be appreciated.

[Meredith]

They are not necessary at all, especially if you don't feel comfortable taking them. If you are staying in a resort especially, don't bother with them. If you are in the campo on the other hand, it's better to be safe, if you want to take them.

[ricktoronto]

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/caribean.htm

But I agree in anything but well in country or very close to Haiti it is not required - in AI resorts especially in the major areas, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata etc., not at all.

You might say where you are going and in what type of surroundings you intend to stay.

[peros]

Before you take ANY malaria tablets make sure you check up on their side-effects.

There is one brand in particular that is highly recommended - but it has some really really devastating side-effects ........ so if your doc does give them to you make sure you do some research on them.

[MommC]

and a #30 or better sunscreen and not worry about the malaria pills.
Also a fabric softner sheet tucked into a pocket or pinned to a shirt will keep the mosquitos away quite nicely. Just use a fresh one twice a day and tuck the used ones into your suitcase to add a fresh scent to your clothes.
I think dengue is much more of a threat than malaria unless you are specifically going to an area where malaria is prevalent (see above posts).

[Ken]

My wife and I have been living in the DR for 16 years and have never taken a malaria pill. But neither do we go to Haiti or areas near the border where malaria is more prevalent

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

Bring insect repellent and forget about Malaria. Never heard of a case in the DR. But be careful with children and deet, the active ingredient in most repellents. Don't use it on the face or the trunk of the body.

[MommC]

It has a lower concentration of Deet (10%) so is safer for them.
I put the sunscreen on first then the insect repellant. Just remember to re-apply often and you shouldn't need it much during the bright sun hours if you are staying at an all -inclusive. Most of them spray so there aren't many mosquitos around.

[Keith R]

Originally posted by Porfio_Rubirosa
Bring insect repellent and forget about Malaria. Never heard of a case in the DR. But be careful with children and deet, the active ingredient in most repellents. Don't use it on the face or the trunk of the body.

PR,
You may have not heard of any malaria cases in the DR, but they do happen -- at least according to OPS/PAHO. According to them, there is a risk of malaria in the DR, but not so high that taking prophylactics (the awful pills everyone is refering to) is recommended for all visitors. The recommendation to use insect repellent containing deet (in my experience, any repellent not containing deet will not help you in the DR) is sensible, especially since one runs a higher risk from dengue than malaria in the DR, and its vector is the same mosquito. [My wife, a dominicana who usually does not get bitten much by mosquitos, was struck by dengue in 1998 while we lived in Santo Domingo. And no, we didn't live in a bad part of town or near a large body of standing water.] You can utilize a repellent with lower quantities of deet for kids, just don't spray it dircetly on their face. Instead, spray some into your own hands, then apply it to the child's face. In other words, same precautions you would (hopefully) take if you were hiking or camping in the U.S.
Best regards,
Keith

[john harper]

Now Mommc,A fabic softner sheet,Ok in the luggage,but for mosquitoes,hehehe.