Malaria on Roatan?
- Thread starter Maggy
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You really should 
the past posts. There are pages and pages about this here
the past posts. There are pages and pages about this here
Snappahead
Guest
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/mamerica_carib/honduras.php
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Malaria in Honduras: prophylaxis is recommended for all areas below 1000 m (3281 ft) and for Roatán and other Bay Islands. Historically, the highest incidence rates have occurred in the swampy regions in the east, but the number of cases reported from the north has risen dramatically over the last several years. For many years, the drug of choice has been chloroquine, which is inexpensive and generally well-tolerated. The recommended dosage is 500 mg weekly, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Chloroquine may cause mild adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and itching, but severe reactions are uncommon. Other choices include mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)(PDF), and doxycycline. Mefloquine is taken once weekly in a dosage of 250 mg, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Mefloquine may cause mild neuropsychiatric symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and nightmares. Rarely, severe reactions occur, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Mefloquine should not be given to anyone with a history of seizures, psychiatric illness, cardiac conduction disorders, or allergy to quinine or quinidine. Those taking mefloquine should read the Lariam Medication Guide (PDF). Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is a recently approved combination pill taken once daily with food starting two days before arrival and continuing through the trip and for seven days after departure. Side-effects, which are typically mild, may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Doxycycline is effective, but may cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction, which limits its usefulness in the tropics. Insect protection measures are essential.
There is no malaria risk in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.
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[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Malaria in Honduras: prophylaxis is recommended for all areas below 1000 m (3281 ft) and for Roatán and other Bay Islands. Historically, the highest incidence rates have occurred in the swampy regions in the east, but the number of cases reported from the north has risen dramatically over the last several years. For many years, the drug of choice has been chloroquine, which is inexpensive and generally well-tolerated. The recommended dosage is 500 mg weekly, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Chloroquine may cause mild adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and itching, but severe reactions are uncommon. Other choices include mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)(PDF), and doxycycline. Mefloquine is taken once weekly in a dosage of 250 mg, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Mefloquine may cause mild neuropsychiatric symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and nightmares. Rarely, severe reactions occur, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Mefloquine should not be given to anyone with a history of seizures, psychiatric illness, cardiac conduction disorders, or allergy to quinine or quinidine. Those taking mefloquine should read the Lariam Medication Guide (PDF). Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is a recently approved combination pill taken once daily with food starting two days before arrival and continuing through the trip and for seven days after departure. Side-effects, which are typically mild, may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Doxycycline is effective, but may cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction, which limits its usefulness in the tropics. Insect protection measures are essential.
There is no malaria risk in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.
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Thank you Snapphead. I will also read our recommendations (the Swedish health recommendations), but Honduras might not be the biggest travel destination for us, so the information might not be too detailed.
OK, seems like we have to force ourselves into the vaccination agencies, that are full of people queing up for the flu shot. Unless you can get a prescription over the phone.
OK, seems like we have to force ourselves into the vaccination agencies, that are full of people queing up for the flu shot. Unless you can get a prescription over the phone.
Snappahead
Guest
You could try PM'ing Bay Island Diver. He's an instructor at one of the dive shops in the West End. My business partner has been down there since September and isn't doing any prophylaxis for malaria. He's just using insect repellent to keep the mosquitoes away.
Over a lot of time maybe they change and the mosquitoes have not changed their ways and the recommended precautions have not changed in years. Thing is, no one here probably has any clue as to what meds someone may be on for other conditions, what health history is or any other factors that are best discussed with a doctor knowledgable in travel meds as well as informed about your own health. Its like asking if you should bring a wetsuit? Some will say yes, some will say no. The decision rests on your informed decision.
Snappahead
Guest
RTB's right....check with a doc. Better safe than sorry.
Aeolus
Guest
Hi there,
I have just recently returned (9/27) from a two week trip to Roatan. One week at Fantasy Island and the other at Reef House Resort. There were no issues with mosquitos at either location. I have been to Roatan numerous times over about 12 years and have not had any issues. The warnings are usually for the more remote locations and especially on the mainland.
disclaimer - I do not take the malaria meds for Roatan, but as others have stated - that is a personal choice. I did take them for a trip to Thailand, but that is another issue. I have not even heard of anyone having any problems while on Roatan. i hope that this helps you in your choice.
I have just recently returned (9/27) from a two week trip to Roatan. One week at Fantasy Island and the other at Reef House Resort. There were no issues with mosquitos at either location. I have been to Roatan numerous times over about 12 years and have not had any issues. The warnings are usually for the more remote locations and especially on the mainland.
disclaimer - I do not take the malaria meds for Roatan, but as others have stated - that is a personal choice. I did take them for a trip to Thailand, but that is another issue. I have not even heard of anyone having any problems while on Roatan. i hope that this helps you in your choice.
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