Malaria pills??

We will be travelling to Punta Cana at the end of march, we went for our shots and while we were there the nurse told us we should get pills for malaria, there is a big group of us going and our other friends went to other clinics and we not told to take malaria pills. I've heard they can make you quite sick as well. I'm just wondering if anyone knows take the pills or not??

i went to punta cana twice in less then a year never took malaria pill the only way u might want to if u get close to Haiti. never been that close to there. been to Santa Domingo which i was told to take if i go there never had a problem. so i if i go aging i wouldn't take them tho but its all up to ya. i was told that u might get sick from them.

just remember that don't drink tap water. bottle water, water in restraints and ice cubes are fine to drink. and everything is really fresh so just keep in mind there is no pesticides on the fruit so don't eat a whole lot or fruit. but its sooooo good!

enjoy the weather!!!!! have fun!!!!!!!

I took malaria pills before going to Africa - I never had any problems.
Not sure if its still done the same way - but its usually 1 pill a week for approx. 6 weeks - usually start about 2-3 weeks prior to your trip

I took them going to India. It is called Malarone. I hope you don't need those pills because I'm going to Punta Cana in April. This site provides information, but doesn't just come out and say it. I've been to the Caribbean numerous times, and I haven't had them.

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalari...

Sheesh, the only cases of Malaria were found on the Haitian border in a flood ravaged area. Haiti cut down every tree and that caused the flooding.

Only thing you need in Punta Cana is SUNSCREEN and Mosquito Repellant. More sunscreen than repellant also.

Have fun and be careful of the sun because it is out to get you. Today the temp is 84F degrees. Take that! LOL

Enjoy

You should actually go to your doctor and let him give you a shot for it, don't just take anything people tell you, not matter if the person is a nurse.See your doctor before you leave and find out the spread of malaria in the area that your going, if there is any.I would not advise u to take them, see you DOCTOR.

i work in a malaria area, long term pills make you ill, but we are talking 6 months. take the advise of your nurse, malaria is not a nice disease to have, trust me.
side effects will occur, most in digestive system, but if your going a high risk area, take the pills.

Are you staying at an all-inclusive resort? If so, no need to take Malaria pills. I have been to the Dominican Republic 3 times and never took any pills and never got sick.

Good Luck

The pills will make you sicker and cause more damage to your liver than getting Malaria and treating it right away. They are also only an 80% prevention - you can achieve similar protection levels through wearing the right clothing and using repellant.

I lived in W. Africa for 3 1/2 years, had Malaria (and treated it). It is not pleasant but I still wouldn't take the tablets for prevention, especially in the DR - the risk isn't that high.

Malaria

An Anopheles freeborni mosquito takes a blood meal.




Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness.

Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below). All travelers to malaria-risk areas in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, including infants, children, and former residents of these islands, should take an antimalarial drug. All travelers to Haiti are at risk for malaria, except no risk in the cruise port of Labadee (Labadie).

Travelers to rural areas of the Dominican Republic are at risk for malaria, with the highest risk in provinces bordering Haiti. In addition, risk in all areas of La Altagracia Province, including Punta Cana and Bavaro Beach (Permanent October 21, 2005). Travelers to malaria-risk areas in Haiti and Dominican Republic should take chloroquine to prevent malaria. Travelers who stay overnight in Kingston, Jamaica, should take chloroquine to prevent malaria. This recommendation is expected to be temporary. (Updated December 4, 2006)

We are going at the end of April and just as a precaution we are going to take the meds - better to be safe than sorry.