Asia - Thailand-The Golden Triangle

We're going to the Golden Triangle in June and we've had mixed recommendations on whether or not to get anti-malaria medications. Do the resorts require you take them? Should you take them? Thanks!

Yes, mixed messages about anti-malarials in this area are often given. Kaiser provides my coverage and their travel hot-line has said that I need them and also that I do not. To be safe, I normally take a course of doxicyclene when traveling near the Mekong.

The choice is yours. Certain anti-malarials are safer than others in terms of side effects, so consider going that route. My experience, after a number of trips is that the most common problems will require the use of immodium.

BTW: The hotels and resorts require only that you have sufficient resources to pay the bill; they could care less about your health concerns.

Antimalarials are reccommended during rainy season (June) in Golden Triangle area even at the resorts. Since malaria in this region is chloroquinine resistant the antimalarial of choice is Doxycycline. Wonderfully cheap and easy to get your MD can write an Rx. You must take the pills one week before entering the area and continue thru your stay and then continue one week after leaving the malarial zone. Doxycycline main side effect is diahorrea which can be controlled with Immodium (loperamide Hydrochloride)

many thanks for the quick feedback!

grhatsfo, since no one else said it, Welcome to FT!

grhatsfo, since no one else said it, Welcome to FT!


why thank you flyinryan...

Antimalarials are reccommended during rainy season (June) in Golden Triangle area even at the resorts. Since malaria in this region is chloroquinine resistant the antimalarial of choice is Doxycycline. Wonderfully cheap and easy to get your MD can write an Rx. You must take the pills one week before entering the area and continue thru your stay and then continue one week after leaving the malarial zone. Doxycycline main side effect is diahorrea which can be controlled with Immodium (loperamide Hydrochloride)

What is the downside of not taking Malaria meds. Is it common to get?

Also what about Hep shots?

We never seem to have problems but will be in ChangMia area in July.

What is the downside of not taking Malaria meds. Is it common to get?
You places your bets and takes your chances. Generally, I've found that the further away you are from malarial regions, the more eager doctors are to pump you up with antimalarials. My MD here in Singapore, on the other hand, thinks that taking a malaria regimen is pointless unless you're going to be spending over a week in a place with a real chance of getting bit (ie. unprotected hut over a swamp, not a fancy resort with aircon). Most malaria medications are expensive and have significant side effects.

Also what about Hep shots?
These, on the other hand, are very much worth the effort. A couple of jabs and you'll be immune for life.