Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Do you need anti-malaria pills for Delhi at this time of year?

32 replies

Blu · 16/03/2008 20:44

DP is off to Delhi - will be staying within the city and not travelling around.

The practice nurse where he had his jabs gave him antimalarial tablets, but none of his colleagues have been given them by thier doctors as they will be in the city.

As he has now succumbed psychosomatically to all the very frightening things mentioned in the accompanying leaflet (before even taking a tablet), we are wondering if it is actually necessary?

OP posts:
Bluestocking · 16/03/2008 20:46

I never bothered with anti-malarials for Delhi, but now I am a parent I probably would. It's very, very unlikely you would catch anything, but why take the risk?

motherinferior · 16/03/2008 20:47

YES YES YES.

Malaria is a killer. I will look up some frightening stats for you, if you want to inflict them on him

Original poster
Blu · 16/03/2008 20:50

I know, MI, but can you catch it in Delhi city centre? Why haven't his colleagues been given it?

I think I will make him take them - the most important time for applying neat DEET co-incides with 'time for a drink'....

OP posts:
anorak · 16/03/2008 20:52

Yes, I had to when I went there 20 years ago in December.

motherinferior · 16/03/2008 20:53

Well, actually I may be talking bollocks. DEET definitely, though. What does the Hospital for Tropical Diseases recommend (I could get in touch with bloke from there, actually, if you like)?

Original poster
Blu · 16/03/2008 20:57

Ooh, could you, MI?

Although that useful map you linked does have Delhi slap bang in the middle of a no-low risk area'.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blu · 17/03/2008 11:59

Any other opinions / experience?

OP posts:
Coolmama · 17/03/2008 12:04

my sister just got back from Delhi (last week) and, although she had all the jabs, she didn't take the anti-malaria pills they tried to give her. If you use the lotions and wear sensible clothes at "sundowners", you should be fine.

LilRedWG · 17/03/2008 12:05

Blu - you are a star! You've just reminded me to book DH an appointment with the nurse as he's off to Delhi next month on business and he won't think to get jabs sorted. Which did your DH have?

boudoiricca · 17/03/2008 12:08

I probably wouldn't bother. And if it's Lariam they've given him I definitely wouldn't bother.

Original poster
Blu · 17/03/2008 12:34

I'm not actually sure what jabs he had.
2, I think, including typhoid. Maybe cholera. I will ask him!

I don't think the tablest are larium - I think there is a z or an x in the name...you can see i am taking this all terribly seriously to the minutest detail, can't you

OP posts:
boudoiricca · 17/03/2008 13:38

Sounds like doxycycline? Which is an antibiotic. That shouldn't do him any harm (unless he's hideosuly allergic to them, like me )

amazonianwoman · 17/03/2008 13:55

I did when I was in Delhi (and Rajasthan) a few years ago over Xmas. Would've still taken them if I'd just visited Delhi.

Any side effects (and I've never had any, and have taken various anti-malarials on loads of occasions, sometimes for months at a time) are minimal compared to contracting malaria.

Original poster
Blu · 18/03/2008 07:55

Oh, they are Larium...

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 18/03/2008 09:52

DH said his colleagues are always given - and take - their malaria tablets so he's expecting some too. We went to Egypt in December so am hoping that DH has had most of his jabs.

LilRedWG · 18/03/2008 09:53

Oh, and he said to thank you for the reminder Blu

FioFio · 18/03/2008 09:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Blu · 18/03/2008 11:36

LiliRed - DP thinks he had cholera, typhoid and HepB, and would have had tetanus if he hadn't had one in the summer.

So - what is the issue with Lariam? He has to start taking them today if he takes them....if he needs to, he will, no doubt about it- buty why have none of his colegues been given them?

OP posts:
FioFio · 18/03/2008 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Blu · 18/03/2008 12:42

sorry Fio - was rushing out to antenatal meeting....

OP posts:
Original poster
Blu · 18/03/2008 12:44

Is it the wet season now?

DP's collegaues who have not been prescribed them are going at the same time - now - on the same plane.

OP posts:
FioFio · 18/03/2008 13:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Blu · 18/03/2008 13:20

The hospital for Tropical Diseases doesn't recommend anti-malarials for Delhi, apparantly.

Will tell him to observe anti-bite measures and not go sight-seeing in swamps.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Sidge · 18/03/2008 13:35

He wouldn't have had a cholera injection, it's not usually recommended for short stay travel and it's a drink, not a jab.

You need Hep A and typhoid for India, and to be fully covered for diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

Delhi is low risk especially if you stay in the city/urban areas, but as it isn't no risk I usually give patients a choice as to whether they want malarial prophylaxis or not.

kritur · 18/03/2008 13:42

We went to Delhi and Rajastan a few years back and took anti malarials because although we were staying in 5* hotels (honeymoon) we were on the road quite a bit. We took Malarone which you can only get on a private prescription and it cost a fortune. You don't have to take it weeks in advance though and it has less side effects than others. Better safe than sorry though so I would make him take some (Larium are hideous though).

Swipe left for the next trending thread