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Anti malarials in Vietnam (and Laos/Cambodia)

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Adamhowman

I have just finished my vaccinations to arrive in Vietnam for January.
The doctor that gave me my jabs explained I will need anti malarials for a year trip around SE Asia.
After checking around the Internet to see if there are cheaper alternatives to buying from this clinic (in UK or SE Asia) I see a lot of people saying there is no point in taking the malaria tablets. Not only is there minimum chance of being infected, but the tablets actuallh give quite bad side effects..
Can anyone shed any light on this? Is this true? Or should I listen to the doctor at the travel clinic?
If so, is it possible to get these in Vnam Cambodia Laos (from reputable chemists)?
Last question,  if any of you take them, do you get crazy side effects (nightmares, anxiety, sweats etc)
Hope this is in the right category.
Thanks in advance
Adam

Fred

The tablets are well known for giving you serious stomach problems, really bad in my case.
You won't get malaria when you use them because you'll never got off the toilet and go anywhere there are any mosquitoes.
I stopped taking the things after the first three days of ruined holiday and have never touched one since, that's a long time without catching malaria.
I do wear insect creams that stop them biting me in the first place, hardly ever suffering from a bite when I use it.
The creams also stop ants biting your feet - bonus.

You can't always see the mosquitoes flying about, but you'll commonly see swifts swooping low to eat them, so see that as a warning sign and get the cream on fast.

Guestposter

10 year in SEA never take any pill and never get Malaria..............................................

Adamhowman

This is what ive come to assume.
Is this less risk due to being in big Cities?
We intend e to explore rural too.
Would you still say to avoid them. Laos n Cambodia also??

Fred

Don't avoid the places, avoid the insects.
The creams are cheap, harmless and work very well.
Use them and you'll have no worries.

stumpy

Use a good insect repellent, wear long sleeve shirts and trousers and night, avoid areas with small stagnant water in them. An online search will also give you natural ingredients to use against the mozzies.
I first had malaria for the last 48 years [ caught it in Papua New Guinea ] and I do not take any anti malarial tablets of any kind.  I have good tablets that I take when I get an attack. After years in Asia I have never had an attack here but have done so in Africa.

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