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Old 09-24-07, 10:41 PM
  #10  
Cave
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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OK, a couple of points:
- Not everywhere in SE Asia is malaria-prone. Hanoi, for example is not a malaria area and most docs wouldn't recommend malaria prophylaxis in Vietnam unless you are travelling to the Delta, the jungle areas or a few other areas in the south.
- Malaria prophylaxis drugs are drugs that kill the parasite. The medication you need varies depending on the strains/resistances in the area you are travelling to.
- Mosquito avoidance is the 1st line of prevention - long light-coloured clothes, mosquito nets, +/- DEET. The time of day that mosquitos attack (!) depends on the species, in Vietnam daytime is safer but evening/nights are highest risk.

You need to take prophylactic medications before, during and after your exposure. The duration and the frequency (eg. daily vs. weekly) depends on the medication.

So I'd do for myself, no recommendation for anyone on this board of course,
(1) Mosquito avoidance measures all the time
(2) See your travel doctor (you need someone up-to-date on the area) and discuss how risky YOUR PARTICULAR exposure will be, and the options for medications/test kits etc.

-- (edit) --
Oops, I mean MY particular exposure risk, of course
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