Hi cat

I too have the same dilemma - kids 10 12 & 14.

After speaking to the nurse when we had jabs she did explain all the possible side-effects (these have to be stated by the drug company) I have made the decision to take ourselves and give to the kids.

My opinion is..............

I am risking my kids health. No contest.

I realise that DR is very low risk ( no cases for a few years) and some countries do not advise malaria tabs but these drugs would not be given if the risk of side effects were that high.

See how the cope with them for the first dose and take it from there.

If I were going without the kids maybe my opinion may be different. Only you can make the decision.

The Puerto Plata area has not seen a case of Malaria in recent memory. It is NOT on the advisory list by the CDC in the US and meds are not reccomended.

BObK

Hi BobK

Not wishing to go against your local knowledge - as a family I can only go off the advise from my GP / health centre in the UK. The advise given from the foreign office is as quoted;

There is a risk of malaria across the country, mainly in rural areas with a higher risk in the west, bordering Haiti. There is also a risk in game parks and in the tourist resorts in the east where outbreaks periodically occur (go to Malaria Map).

To take choloquin (which is available over the counter) is a personal choice after taking professional medical advice.

our doctors "holiday nurse" quoted from the World Health Organisation website as well as their own info and the advice is, always taking precautions.

i was not bitten once and i am very rarely wherever i go, my wife who lays next to me either on the beach or in bed has been bitten to bits on this holiday by both sandfly and mozzies, but, i will continue along with my wife the tablet course that was recommended to us, no side affects to report with us ( they just leave a horrible taste so take them quickly )

if we were to advertise medicines on tv the way the americans do you would be wary of every tablet sold over the counter as they have to tell you in the ad all the possible side affects which can be a very long list.

children are a problem because to give them something that could make them ill makes you very guilty for giving them pain or discomfort, but, the big question is, possibly sick or possibly dead? extremely harsh i know, but i know which i would choose everytime........

thank you all, i have decided to go ahead with the tablets both girls taken their first doses today not worth the risk at all thanks again x

"The Puerto Plata area has not seen a case of Malaria in recent memory. It is NOT on the advisory list by the CDC in the US and meds are not recommended."

"Not wishing to go against your local knowledge - as a family I can only go off the advise from my GP / health centre in the UK. The advise given from the foreign office is as quoted;

There is a risk of malaria across the country, mainly in rural areas with a higher risk in the west, bordering Haiti. There is also a risk in game parks and in the tourist resorts in the east where outbreaks periodically occur (go to Malaria Map)."

Well, you didn't go against Bob's local knowledge. He said that Puerto Plata wasn't a risk and the UK Government didn't mention it either! The north coast isn't near Haiti, or the east coast or the jungle areas!

I took my niece, who was 14 at the time, to Cabarete in Jan 07. She didn't take (or 'need') meds (and her mother is *really* cautious).

It is interesting to note that almost 100% of the posts on the subject of "should i take malaria tablets" are posted from visitors from the UK and occasioinaly Canada. YOu never see that question asked by US or other european visitors. I have to ask is there something about the UK health system (either good or bad) that the advise is so different?

BObK

Bobk

I have recently (yesterday) stopped taking my malaria tablets. I was advised to take 2 tablets each day for one week before travel... I went to my doctor because I was feeling unwell and was asked if I was currently taking any medication - I mentioned the anti-malaria tabs. After a couple of minutes he advised me to stop taking them and I was unwell as a result of them. He then looked on the world travel... and said to me that the DR isn't an 'at risk' area. Of course the doctor mentioned that if I used a deet repellent etc that would be enough.

I know people have mentioned about side effects of tablets and that it's advisable to take the meds rather than be at risk. I agree, but some people experience side effects that are far greater that what another might experience.

From not taking the anti-malarials for 24 hours I feel so much better.

Yvonne

"It is interesting to note that almost 100% of the posts on the subject of "should i take malaria tablets" are posted from visitors from the UK and occasioinaly Canada. YOu never see that question asked by US or other european visitors. I have to ask is there something about the UK health system (either good or bad) that the advise is so different?"

I think there are cultural issues Bob, in the UK people in general, do not feel comfortable questioning the doctor (or for that matter, nurses). If a health professional tells them something, then it is generally taken as instructed, which leads us to generally have a population who are not 'informed patients'. By questioning the doctor regarding side effects etc people can then make an 'informed' decision whether to take or not, but they rarely get to that point. Dominican Republic is a 'malaria' country therefore the straight answer is 'take anti-malarial' meds. If you are asking a doctor "should I take anti-malarial medication?" he looks at a map and says "yes". If he says "no" and you are the one in a million who gets malaria, he's in trouble. If the patient was to follow the "yes" up with "what are the side effects, what are the risks and do the risks out-way the side effects?" most doctors will give a more cautious answer. I think in the US perhaps the culture involves the doctor 'informing' patients to a greater extent, so they do not leave themselves open to litigation for not 'explaining fully'? Also, we still have a culture of 'not wasting the doctors time' because it is free, where as in the USA you perhaps feel that you are paying for the consultation so it is 'your time'?

Either way, the more people learn to question the gods, the better.

Hope you're fully fit again soon Yvonne.

Hi we went at xmas time with our children aged 14 and 6. I was also confused about the malaria issue. We decided to take Avloclor (cholorquirine phosphate tablets). I also stock up on a lot of mosquito repellent (plugs in room) (bands you can buy on the internet) and spray. With the spray etc none of us actually got bitten so we never finished the course of malaria tablets. We did speak to quite a few english who didn't even both taking the tablets. I think with children though you have to take that extra precaution because you would never forgive yourself. If you are going in the rainy season I think there may be a few more little insects about as well. So better to be safe than sorry. No side affects with the tablets.

Have a good holiday, once you are there you won't worry. Just keep spraying.