Re: Malaria Tablets

[JJay]

Do you need to take malaria tablets when you travel to Cuba?

[Milli]

:)  No JJay. Malaria tablets are not needed in Cuba.

[bellagio]

JJay - you need them for the Dom Rep but not, as Milli correctly says, for Cuba.

[JohnnyCastaway]

Hi JJay, we've not heard of reports of Malaria in Cuba, only in the DR and Mexico.  If you want to get some background information about Malaria the  Canadian public health agency has a good FAQ about it.  Even though it's a Canadian site, the info is good anywhere.
 
 We know people who took malaria medication when going to the DR, and some wished they hadn't, they were ill for the whole trip.  It's a bit of a double edged sword, isn't it?  Get sick from the medication, which is not 100% effective against getting the disease, or risk getting Maliaria...
 
 Hope it helps.

[Harlequin]

For info on vaccinations etc I use
 http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/caribbean/cuba.shtml

[JJay]

Thanks.  The nurse in our doctors surgery is a little bit overly cautious when it comes to malaria tablets.  she'd probably recommend them for Cornwall!!
 
 I need a Hep A and tetnus booster jab but the message for malaria was speak to the chemist. By which I think she meant you will need them but cheaper to buy over the counter than on perscription!!  But if you guys don't take them I probably won't either.

[millybess]

JJay, if you decide to take malaria tablets, there is a new one out called "Malarone".
 
 My son has been on them for over two weeks now and other than being tired on the first day, he has had no side effects at all.

[JJay]

Thanks Millybess.  I was fine with Chloroquine in December but I know it depends where you are travelling as to which ones you take.  Next time I'm at the chemist I may just ask there opinion but it sounds like I shouldn't need them at all according to the site that Garin posted.  I don't like taking tablets unless I really have too.