vaccinations for cambodia

thats what mine said. except he also gave me a prescription for Cholera vacinations, which the chemist said was not very common and i could do with out, so i chucked it. i am taking malarone for rural areas and as a treatment if i get it.

Although the incidence of infection in Cambodia has been dropping since 1997 malaria is a very real risk in some parts of the country and is still a primary cause of mortality. A number of years ago a colleague died in the UK after contracting malaria while working in Africa so I don't take the risk.

According to your profile you are an Australian, this site gives a few links to expert sites including the US Govt Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Without commenting on Malarial prophylaxis which usually has a for and against set of posts, you may like to consider both Hep A and B, these are also of value in Australia, as well check the currency of your tetanus, polio etc protection. For health matters I usually rely on my native cunning after seeking expert advice and don't let the experience of others influence me too much, it's a bit like travel insurance, only necessary if you need it.

I would recommend getting the hepatitis (Definately A, maybe B), polio, diphtheria shots at least. As for malaria, theres none in the Phnom Penh area, and Siem Reap is supposedly safe enough. None of the residents here take anti-malarials, and Ive never heard of any getting malaria, watch out for dengue fever though.

Yes, have been hearing a bit about dengue in PP lately.

Re dengue: there's currently an epidemic and several deaths have been reported, mostly (perhaps all) children. Unlike malaria, it occurs in urban settings (malaria tends to be a rural problem). There's no prevention apart from avoiding the mosquitoes - mosquito nets at night if your room isn't sealed (air-conditioned rooms should be mossie-free)., and long sleeves, roll-on etc around dusk and dawn (the mossie that spreads dengue tends to be active at these times). Don't be too concerned, it's rarely fatal in adults (I've had it), but it's not pleasant (I wish I hadn't). Wikipedia, that source of instant wisdom, has some good info.

Be advised, Dengue mosquitos bite during the day, while Malaria mosquitos bite mainly at dawn and dusk as well as during the night.

Dengue is a serious concern for travellers in Southeast Asia. I had a colleague catch it in Phnom Penh after spending just 4 days in the city (symptoms show up a few days later). Definitely wear DEET moquito repellent all day long, as well as at night, reapplying every 4-6 hours.

Catching Dengue would definitely ruin your trip, and depending where you are, could require extremely costly evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore (he was taken to Bangkok, but fortunately we have insurance for that through work). Wear your mosquito repellent!

All doctors reccommend taking anti-malaria tablets. you probably should, just be prepared to be throwing up for 2 days(along with the rest which i dont want to mention)