enjoystravel, you have some good ideas there - low temperatures inhibit activity in practically any ectothermic ("cold-blooded") species, whether they be insects, reptiles or amphibians.

Prevention is much easier, cheaper and less life-threatening than after-the-fact treatment. Clothing, heavier sheets, bednets serve well as physical barriers, and tested repellents for topical application (DEET, lemon oil eucalyptus and picaridin, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 2005,) and permethrin for application to clothes, etc. (not topical!) are very useful.

Medical prophylaxis I have found one has to be a bit more circumspect about. Some physicians are very aware and well trained, but in places where diseases like arboviruses or insect-borne diseases are little known, it is best to check with qualified travel physicians, clinics or public health entities. I still see some prescribing outdated medications, or in developing nations those (like halofantrine / "Halfan") which are contraindicated completely by better trained health professionals. Others prescribe inappropriate medications (Mefloquine, for example, for people with some history of depression, divers, etc.) because they are not up to date, or because they are thinking of one location, not the one the traveler is headed (like the Peace Crops volunteer I met who had been in hospital three times with CRFM because he was prescribed Lariam, which is not very effective for those residing / working in lowland PNG.)

In a number of developing nations it is not uncommon to find physicians prescribing useless medications - multiple-antibiotics for colds or other viruses, for instance - or medications being sold without requirement for a prescription by "pharmacists" ("chemists," in most English-language speaking countries,) who do not meet training standards established for licensing in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia... (I have to admit when I was 12 and began working between and after school, I was charged with compounding medications in the pharmacy - not in the USA - where I worked, once I had been there long enough to become a known entity - think about that, folks, a pre-teen or teenager measuring, blending and packaging medications you would use to prevent or treat a significant disease, while his supervisor takes a break or is involved with other work! If that concept frightens you a little bit, good, it will wake you up.)

The CDC is indeed a good place to check - as well as the previously mentioned IAMAT. Talk to a qualified and up-to-date health professional - ignorancer or giving up is not a great idea; the owner of the The Ark in the Aberdares NP in Kenya died of cerebral CRFM malaria because he decided the risk wasn't high enough to use proper prophylaxis; he either became blasé or careless, the result was the same.

India is one of those places where location, climate and season make a big difference. Check it out before you go, fellow FTers, because as enjoystravel indicates, it's often not only you it's about. And follow instructions of whatever you and your health professional choose to the "T."

I love travel, but I like to manage my risks... see you there!