Malaria in Roatan?

[BEFdoc]

I just read the CDC website about Roatan and Honduras. They recommend prophylactic use of anti-malaria drug. A couple mentioned the most commonly used Chloroquine. Anyone have experience with this drug, side effects etc. More importantly, anyone experienced a case of Malaria from Roatan?

 

Thanks for your input as trying to decide whether to take this medication.

[Guest 2000]

I just read the CDC website about Roatan and Honduras. They recommend prophylactic use of anti-malaria drug. A couple mentioned the most commonly used Chloroquine. Anyone have experience with this drug, side effects etc. More importantly, anyone experienced a case of Malaria from Roatan?

 

Thanks for your input as trying to decide whether to take this medication.

 

This is a bit of a hot button topic on Trip Advisor, ya might have a look at FAQ here.

 

I think having reactions or not to a medication are personal as is the choice to take he preventive. I have stayed on the island for up to three months, sometimes I take the meds, sometimes I don't. I am religious about bug repellent, Deep Woods off works for me.

 

 

Malaria is on the island, as is Dengue... the choice is yours.

[BEFdoc]

Thanks for the reply and advice. I will check TA.

 

Cheers

[RoadTripFanatic]

I would talk to your family physician or a travel md to see what medication they recommend. If I am cruising I personally chose not to take the malaria meds. (once again talk to your MD) We were there in the afternoon when the probability of a mosquito bite is lower. When I go to stay on the island, I do take malaria medications. The first time I went I took Mefloquine. I had a slight reaction to it but nothing serious. (Hot flashes and felt off) It quickly went away and I felt perfectly fine the entire trip and the few weeks after that I had to take the medication. My daughter and husband took Malarone and had no issues. This trip I will be taking Malarone.

[anonmom]

I would talk to your family physician or a travel md to see what medication they recommend. If I am cruising I personally chose not to take the malaria meds. (once again talk to your MD) We were there in the afternoon when the probability of a mosquito bite is lower. When I go to stay on the island, I do take malaria medications...

 

This is how I feel. I will not be taking malaria meds (or giving them to my 4 year old) for a port stop where we will just be in town, on buses, in taxis, on boats, on the beach, and in the ocean; for a grand total of 8 daytime hours (at most). I will be using lots of insect repellent, of course.

 

I would definitely take the meds if I was going into wilderness areas, or if we were staying into the evening.

[BEFdoc]

This is how I feel. I will not be taking malaria meds (or giving them to my 4 year old) for a port stop where we will just be in town, on buses, in taxis, on boats, on the beach, and in the ocean; for a grand total of 8 daytime hours (at most). I will be using lots of insect repellent, of course.

 

I would definitely take the meds if I was going into wilderness areas, or if we were staying into the evening.

 

 

Thanks all for the advice.

[mpk]

So what kind of mosquito critters are on Roatan? Is it the regular dawn/dusk variety, or the kind that bites all day long?

 

 

I am religious about bug repellent, Deep Woods off works for me.

 

Malaria is on the island, as is Dengue... the choice is yours.

[Guest 2000]

So what kind of mosquito critters are on Roatan? Is it the regular dawn/dusk variety, or the kind that bites all day long?

I think it depnds on who ya talk to, I have seen plenty of people say the mosquitos are only dawn/dusk and the sand flies are only on the beach.

 

My experience has been different, there are days I spend a fair amount of time on a second level deck reading.. I find both the mossies and

the sand flies are active all day, the deck is covered, perhaps if one is in the sun the mossies are less likely to bother.

 

I truly believe it is all about body chemestry, if the bugs like you they will find you no matter the time of day..

[RoadTripFanatic]

No-See-Ums can be a problem all day long. I would just wear bug spray. It will make you feel better and you don't want to end up itching the entire trip. Mosquitos were only a real issue for us during the early morning and evening hours. I really didn't have a problem with them and neither did my daughter who is a mosquito magnet during the mid day hours.

[BEFdoc]

Saw the M.D. that specializes in travel illness and recommended Hepatitis A vaccine X 2, DEET 30 %, no malaria meds, Cipro for dysentery or Noro, Immodium for same.

 

Easy peasy.