Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Staying Healthy on the Road
Do I really need Malaria pills for C&S America? Do I really need Malaria pills for C&S America?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Staying Healthy on the Road Medical info, e.g. malaria, vaccinations, travel medical tips, medical insurance, where to find a doctor.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Feb 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heading to Ushuaia
Posts: 34
Do I really need Malaria pills for C&S America?
A friend and I are planning about 5 months in c. and s. america. After hitting the CDC (and my doctor) incessantly for months I can't take away anything but the idea that the US thinks every country apart from our own must be crawling with disease. It seems if the population of the host country can live w/o drugs then so can we. After all, we're not planning a jungle slumber party the whole trip so why take anything at all?

Is this just shear ignorance? Someone give us some good advice......please.

Much Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Feb 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 84
If somebody from a country with malaria moves away and then returns they can die from malaria. That's pretty much all I know.

Steve
__________________
--1982 GS(X)400EZ--
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Feb 2004
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,352
c and s america are both INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. the mosquitos are as big as domestic animals and they can rip off limbs! they also give you deadly malaria! particularly at 4000m in the bolivian altiplano.

everybody wears funny hats too! wouldn't go there.

they speak funny too! they won't reply in english, even if you shout at them in english. pretty inconsiderate if you ask me. why do they only speak spanish or portugese? i think i know: the answer lies in the fact that their independence day doesn't celebrate freedom from the imperialist brits.



the above is for comic effect. you don't need altimalarias unless you plan to hang out in the amazon.

latin america is superb. the people are great. the biking is wonderful.

but please keep this a secret: otherwise there will be a mass exodus south and everybody will try to run you off the road in a winnabagel and speak english at you (like they do every summer in alaska... we won't mention the alaskan national bird...)while you are admiring the views on ipamena beach in rio de janeiro.

why say something in 10 words, when 200+ will do.

ChrisB
__________________

TBS.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Feb 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heading to Ushuaia
Posts: 34
thanks for the note chris. we'll keep it a secret.

also, thanks for the word on antimalarials in c and s america. i thought as much. i'll take some w/ me anyway but i really feel the risk of contracting malaria in the areas we plan to ride will be pretty low
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 57
Hi, did 6 months in Belize, the Mos's are like flying hamsters, yes you can get malaria in this part of the world. Stop taking the pills and it will get you, I know from seeing others do exactly that. The risk at the end of the day is yours, however, if it were me I would take the pills.

Have nice one.

PK


Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Apr 2004
marker's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bombinhas-Santa Catarina-Brazil
Posts: 297
why not taking mefloquine or eq. as a medicine in case you get malaria?
Taking prophylaxes does not guarantee you of a malariafree life. Cut out on alcohol, wear long sleeves when daylight fades away, sleep under a mosquitonet might be a lot healthier and prevents you probably at least as much for malaria. Have a dose of mefloquin/Lariam or eq as a medicine in case you get malaria.
I have spent about 13 years in malariadangerous zones this way even eastern Africa which makes C@S America look very skinny in terms of malaria
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:53.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top