DO I need shots or anti-malaria treatment before going?

Tetanus shots are always a good idea ... Hep A certainly can't hurt, either ... Personally, I don't believe in anti-malaria medicines as a routine precaution unless you are going to a particularly dangerous area ... just do as much as you can to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Talk to a travel health center to get the best advice, but you should defiantly get the usual shots - especially against rabies. Unless your going to the jungle for a length of time i wouldn't bother with anti-malarials. Just use mosquito repellent and nets are handy too.

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<hr>you should defiantly get the usual shots - especially against rabies.<hr></blockquote>

Well, whatever your doctor says ... But I've never heard of anyone not working with animals having a routine rabies vaccine.

As JB says Tetanus shots are a good idea even at home.

Before our trip to Vietnam with our four children we saw a travel doctor and he recommended Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid and Tetanus. I would definitely not have left home without them!

We didn't need any anti-malarial medicines as we were on the main tourist track through Vietnam. I think if you head off into the swamps they may be required.

Good Luck - you'll all have a great time!

I had suspected malaria in HCMC last month (but blood test indicated no malaria). I had been in the central highlands, which the doctor told me was the one area in Vietnam where there was malaria. I had not taken medication but did take precautions not to get bitten. The doctor said he thought this was the sensible course of action to take as anti malarials have so many side effects.

If you are not going to the central highlands, don't worry (though there is Dengue fever in HCMC and the Mekong), otherwise use a mosquito net, wear long sleeves and socks etc in the evening, use strong mosquito repellent and coils and perhaps, as I do, take high vitamin b. Night time is the time when malarial mosquitoes bite.

You really need to be visiting a travel clinic, or just your GP, as there is so much conflicting advice here.

A rabies jab will definitely not be necessary unless you are really going off the beaten track and will be away from any civilisation for extended periods. The usual tetanus, hepatitis, polio, dyptheria, etc are all recommended.

Personally, if travelling with young children, I would go for the anti-malarials. You can't be too careful and malaria can be fatal. There is a newer tablet on the market now (can't remember the name but your GP will know) that is recommended for the under 12s (its the only one) that has much fewer side effects than the others. Its twice the price though. Having said that, I have always taken anti-malarials and never experienced any side effects.

Tetnus-typhoid-Dyptheria

Hep A (B is a good idea anyway for adults)

Anti Malarial is a not a shot, its a pill,. and not needed in the most the tourist venues, but consult a DR

Rabies? Never heard that one before....

This is what the CDC recommends for travel through SEA:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.

Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in some of the countries in this region. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southeast Asia.

Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.

Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles and a one-time dose of polio for adults.

For more detailed information, check out there website at:

CDC

It's really a question for your GP, naturopath or homoeopath depending on who you have more faith in.

The particular B vit that can act as a deterent is B1 in doses of over 50 mg/day. But as vitamns and minerals act synergetically get a good multi vitamin like Tressos B or Nutrition Care SF88 both practitioner brands that has high B included in it.
Garlic is said to deter mosquitos as well.It repels some people so I suppose it could do the same for mossies.

Last time I checked the web parts of the central highlands of Vietnam were a malaria risk. For dengue fever(fairly wide spread) there is nothing you can take to give you immunity. I understand this mosquito flies day and night sorties whereas the malaria carrying variety is night time only.
Permrithrin impregnated nets, applying deet lotion, mossie coils, fans, covering up,altitiude over 2000 metres are deterents.

If you are into allopathic medicine see a doctor that specialises in travel medicine not an ordinary peas soup variety.
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