typhoid in Roatan

[RTBDiver]

consult the dive operator at your destination for the local opinon regarding Mefloquine (Lariam).

I missed where anyone was talking specific meds, Are any doctors even prescribing Larium except in extreme cases? For Roatan I take Chloroquine which is cheap and to date have never had any issues. As far as making your informed decision, SERIOUSLY I would not be taking any medical advice from a dive shop owner or manager , there is a reason one must fill out a medical form when taking classes and not just ask the shop owner if its OK or not ..No, I will leave the medical things to the medical professionals.

 

[tracydr]

not that I come to the internet to get my medical advice - but I though I would throw this out there. I am doing reserach on what preventatives I need before traveling to Roatan. I know Malaria, but was the CDC recommends the thyphoid vaccination as well if traveling - but is very vague on where you are traveling if you need it.

Not trying to start a debate, just wondering how many of you get it and how many of you don't? (It is only 50-80% effective) and I know can have some side effects.

Thanks

I'm not sure if you need it for Roatan. I got the vaccine when I went to Nicaragua. I think it's recommended for most 3rd World countries, since its transmitted by poor water sanitation and hygiene.
I had the shot at least once or twice before when I was in the military. I never had any side effects, other than a sore arm, maybe a little off the next day. It's hard to tell because I've always gotten Yellow Fever vaccine at the same time and I think that has "flu like" side effects.
I just learned last week that my local Safeway carries travel vaccines and takes insurance!

---------- Post added January 11th, 2013 at 08:08 AM ----------

I missed where anyone was talking specific meds, Are any doctors even prescribing Larium except in extreme cases? For Roatan I take Chloroquine which is cheap and to date have never had any issues. As far as making your informed decision, SERIOUSLY I would not be taking any medical advice from a dive shop owner or manager , there is a reason one must fill out a medical form when taking classes and not just ask the shop owner if its OK or not ..No, I will leave the medical things to the medical professionals.

Larium is recommended for certain countries or if you can't take the chloroquine. It causes some serious strange dreams and has a very bad interaction with alcohol.

---------- Post added January 11th, 2013 at 08:13 AM ----------

hey dan, I am going with Herman and a group of vintage divers (and tony) in may to roatan - and have to have hep b for work, and just finished up hep a (had to have first shot before Ecuador). I decided to go ahead and get the typhoid - figured it couldn't hurt, and I have some other travel plans hopefully in the future - so I am good for 5 years.

I would have Hep A if you eat at a restaurant or eat food from the grocery store in the United States. Hep B is not a bad idea, just in case you need a transfusion but is usually given to health care professionals since its an expensive series. Hep B is sexually or needle/blood transferred. Wish we had a Hep C vaccine.

 

[RTBDiver]

Larium is recommended for certain countries or if you can't take the chloroquine. It causes some serious strange dreams and has a very bad interaction with alcohol.
.

Honduras is not one of those countries , Chloroquine had been the first recomendation for years, it was not until the past few years or so Malarone also began to be prescribed a lot, More so with the Canadian travelers. I have never had any type of side effect, No one I know personally who has taken chlorquine has had any bad reactions either and that list is quite long.
I also deet, Malaria is a problem but other things like Dengue can be as well and anti malarials do nothing to prevent the itchy bite Deet based products also work for me in preventing bites from those pesky sand flies. In my experience Roatan has fewer mosquitoes than many places including my place in Florida but its the Disease thing that is the issue, While in Roatan i also spend a lot more time in the bush, swampy areas and forested areas than most visitors,