| Author |
Message |
    
Aok
Citizen
Username: Aok
Post Number: 176
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:17 pm: |     |
Am checking out various places for April vacation and was thinking of Punta Cana EXCEPT it seems that the Center for Disease Control recommends you take antimalaria medicine if going to Dominican Republic or Haiti...................so has anyone ever done this and is it "no big deal" as my husband contends or should I just find another island? |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1292
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:25 pm: | |
As a veteran of anti-malarials just be careful what you take. I rarely take them anymore but I would be particularly wary of Larium. If you do decide Malarone seems to have the least side effects (you have to double check what's effective in what areas). Don't forget bug spray with DEET.
It would never stop me from going anywhere. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:32 pm: | |
I just went to Punta Cana toward the end of last year. I had no idea that was recommended, but if it's not that big of a deal, just go to the doc and get it. It wouldn't stop me from going. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 456
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:46 pm: | |
the CDC site says only travelers to malaria-risk areas need the antimalarial. While Punta Cana is in Altagracia Province, the malaria outbreak there was at least two years ago.
I've been to the Dominican Republic a number of times and never taken any antimalarials.
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Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1598
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 8:11 pm: | |
I always took those bitter white pills for anti-malarial drugs - can't remember what they were called. It's not a big deal.
I did contract Dengue Fever in the Carribbean -- anti-malarial drugs don't protect you from every disease that's mosquitoe-borne - if you can keep the mosquitoes away in the first place you have less to worry about health-wise.
As other posters recommended, DEET is a good precaution - also netting at night.
Good luck.
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soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 324
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 6:24 pm: | |
call Travel MD 973 971 7291. 95 Madison Ave, Morristown (across from Morristown Memorial). They will tell you what shots, pills etc are recommended based on where exactly you are going, and can provide same. |
Aok
Citizen
Username: Aok
Post Number: 179
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 8:27 am: | |
I did call my pediatrician and she confirmed would need to take antimalarial pils for 6 weeks......big article in Star Ledger today promoting Dominican Republic resorts but no mention of this "minor detail" and the travel agent also claims no knowledge of this CDC recommendation. Haven't decided where to go yet but it certainly explains why DR so much cheaper than many other resorts. Thanks all for feedback. |
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