caribou
Registered
Doing a Cozumel-Playa Del Carmen-jungle combo 2 weeks ago, I read in this forum before leaving it is safer to prevent any malaria infection (no risk in cozumel but there is some when you go inland on the way to the pyramids).
Dive doctor's articles mentioned it was an area where where Malaria is still vulnerable to Chloroquine. And you can take Chloroquine AND dive.
So I go to the doctor to get a prescription, he agrees right away, saying it is best to prevent than wasting nice dive vacation (+ engagement holidays).
I care to ask any specific contra-indications, my stomach being being sometimes flaky.
She goes : "no...unless if you're european...." (which I am).
In fact, some europeans (not a minority) especially around the mediterranean sea have a deficiency, called J6PD deficiency, if I remember right.
One should get tested (simple blood work) for that before taking Chloroquine, otherwise taking it breaks your blood cells, leading to (massive) anemia, and possibly loss of consciousness, things one doesn't want to happen unless one want to challenge it's buddy's rescue abilities.
For me it was too late, but I figured I would mention it here.
Anyway, Cozumel was great and I realized my instuctor last year was right when he joked :"Think twice before getting certified, it is gonna change your vision of vacation (and even life) forever."
This forum brought me so many answers so far, I hope this can help someone.
actually, one last thing :
If there is a doctor around here, can I have malaria right now and not know it or carrying it without being sick for a few weeks ? I go see my nephews (2,3,4 and 6 years old) in France in 2 weeks and I want to make sure I don't put them at risk.
Dive doctor's articles mentioned it was an area where where Malaria is still vulnerable to Chloroquine. And you can take Chloroquine AND dive.
So I go to the doctor to get a prescription, he agrees right away, saying it is best to prevent than wasting nice dive vacation (+ engagement holidays).
I care to ask any specific contra-indications, my stomach being being sometimes flaky.
She goes : "no...unless if you're european...." (which I am).
In fact, some europeans (not a minority) especially around the mediterranean sea have a deficiency, called J6PD deficiency, if I remember right.
One should get tested (simple blood work) for that before taking Chloroquine, otherwise taking it breaks your blood cells, leading to (massive) anemia, and possibly loss of consciousness, things one doesn't want to happen unless one want to challenge it's buddy's rescue abilities.
For me it was too late, but I figured I would mention it here.
Anyway, Cozumel was great and I realized my instuctor last year was right when he joked :"Think twice before getting certified, it is gonna change your vision of vacation (and even life) forever."
This forum brought me so many answers so far, I hope this can help someone.
actually, one last thing :
If there is a doctor around here, can I have malaria right now and not know it or carrying it without being sick for a few weeks ? I go see my nephews (2,3,4 and 6 years old) in France in 2 weeks and I want to make sure I don't put them at risk.
