Thorn Tree travel forum

1

This is only my opinion and experience, (just a disclaimer before anyone bites my head off - some folkes get very heated about malaria).

Generally the malaria risk for northen Thailand is said to be low, especially if its outside the rainy season. If youre only in the jungle for 3 days then the risk is neglible. Also, if you're trekking in the hill tribre areas then the altitude normally excludes all risk of malaria.

There is a risk of malaria in the border areas with Loas, Burma/Myanmar, but it doesnt sound like you are going there. You should balance this with the fact that some of the malaria in this region is fairly resistant to treatment.

If it was me (but it isnt) I would definetly not take the Malarone. I have travelled extensively, sometimes taking anti-malarials, other times not, depending on the percieved risk, etc.

You could consider taking the Malarone or Doxycycline as a standby treatment, and famalarising yourself with the symptoms of malaria, but this takes some medical confidence.

But I really think youre at virtually no risk of malaria.

BUT of course, I am NOT a medical doctor! Not that your doctor probably knows much about malaria, he will most likely have got his recommendation straight of the government website.

Whatever, enjoy your trip.

2

I got dengue fever whilst on a 3 day trek from Chaing Mai to see the Hill Tribes. Luckily it was mild and I was silly not taking anti mosquito prevention.

If not taking drugs, then cover up when you can and use repellents and a net at night.

3

I totally agree with #1. BTW anti-malarials won't prevent you catching Malaria, they just make the symptoms milder, so the best advice is to cover up and use DEET-based repellent (especially mornings and evenings).

NW Thailand Motorcycle Trips, June 2008 and January 2009

4

Yep, I'm with 1 & 3. Jenkin, I am doing the same thing as you, and I won't be taking them. Also, I went to a travel clinic and the doctor told me NOT to take them. I have since confirmed his advice with a few other sources.

DO take the standard precautions against mosquitos though... DEET (30 - 80%), cover up at dusk and dawn, wear light coloured clothes (they are attracted to heat).

Hope that helps.

DISCLAIMER: take my advice at your own risk!!!! :-)

5

The US center for disease control website: http://www.cdc.gov/ for information and a map which shows malaria areas in Thailand. Lots of information, probably more info than your doctor knows.

People who have nothing to live for
Always find something to die for
and then they want you to die for it, too.--Kenneth Patchen

6

Please go see a medical doctor with specific knowledge of this area of medicine. We can offer all the advice you want (I go with the pills but don't actually ingest them) but nothing will replace a face to face meeting with a doctor who is qualified in this area.

Cycling information for Southeast Asia
Cycling Southeast Asia forum

7

Someone can be a totally awesome expert doctor, but be clueless about Thailand's geography.

That's not exactly a far-fetched scenario. :)

At least he managed to prescribe the right type for the area.. many doctors even get that wrong which is TOTALLY inexcusable. (As evidenced by several posts from people on this branch).

Personally of course I consider it a no-brainer, but if you've got the money then Malarone at least won't do you serious harm.

Check out pics and reviews of all kinds of food at chanchao.fotopages.com. Get the Thai Travel Menu, a printable bilingual menu to help you order great food off the beaten path.

8

"How bad is the malaria in the north, is there really a need to take it"
I would have to say "No!" but then again don't blame me if you're one of the extremely few to get it.
Tak province, SW of Chiang Mai along the border seems to have more reported cases, but they have dropped swiftly year-to-year and are very few. Don't even think of comparing it with sub-Saharan Africa or Amazonian South America. Malaria risk in Northern Thailand is very slight. In Chiang Mai and most tourist areas it is virtually zero.

9

Hi all,

I'm going to volunteer in Maetaman Elephant camp outside chiang mai for 3 weeks, on weekends visiting Chiang mai. Does anyone know what the risk for Malaria is at the camp? Its about 50 miles from the Myanmar borderish.

Thanks for the advice.

10

Very close to zero. Still, be careful of Dengue and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, so always prevent mosquito bites as much as possible.

Check out pics and reviews of all kinds of food at chanchao.fotopages.com. Get the Thai Travel Menu, a printable bilingual menu to help you order great food off the beaten path.

11

#4 is correct and good advice except about the deet concentration: "...DEET (30 - 80%).

Research such as Consumers Reports which I have posted here several times recommends that you use 35% Deet, no more.
They show that the effectiveness drops proportionately with the percent from 35% down.

There is a very good roll on bottle sold in most pharmacies in Thailand that is only 12% but I found it to be effective.