Anyone got any advice on malaria in India as I've heard conflicting stories. I'm going to be there for four months and travelling from Delhi down to Kerala and back up to Kolkata, so if anyone good let me know if its a problem and what is the best precaution, tablets obviously, but I don't want to be taking these for four months. Thanks in advance.
A couple of years ago I did the same with a friend.. we took the malaria tablets but she got it in Rajasthan anyway (in oktober/november).. a case of being very unlucky beacause it doesn't happen that often- good luck!
Peoples are obsessed with malaria. I have been eight times and never have taken pills and never had malaria. Maybe if you go in Monsoon. Bring some insect repealent with you. If you get a fever go to a good doctor and get antibiotics. Taking medication has lots of side effects and does not guarantee not getting malaria.
I went in summer of '03 (during India's monsoon season, oh boy did it monsoon!), but I had no problems. I was in the north, got bit hundreds and hundreds of times and still I was fine. It's true that people have different immunities, but the medicine can make you very sick, does not really protect you, and can ruin your experience. I would take tablets with me and head IMMEDIATELY to a doctor if I got sick, but I wouldn't start taking the medicine until I need. Also take lots of bug spray and a moquito net - you'll need them. Don't freak out about this, my friends had my head spinning before I left. Enjoy your trip!
[ This Message was edited by: victorsglobe on 2004-12-09 10:19 ]
Premium account Joined: Jun 02 Points: 12835 Posts: 215
Posted: 2004-12-10 01:11:00  
I am like Marianne.
Do you mean summer/monsoon as in May?
India was my first choice for my next trip but after doing a little research I noticed there were no tours on offer for the May June July August period and deduced the amount of rain must be tremendous.
As far as I know June, July, August is monsoon in South India. We were in Goa in December and January and the weather is simply perfect in these months. I took malaria prophylaxis. What places do you intend to visit?
Marianne
--- “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Robert Louis Stevenson