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#50935 05/13/02 04:17 PM
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Have any of you ever taken Doxycycline for prophlaxis of malaria? I searched the site and saw the mention on another drug that we didn't get. I got the Hep A and B series since I work in the medical field. I search the web and saw a bunch of different warnings for Belize...like yellow fever, typhoid, botfly, chlorea and others. Is any of this a real threat? I'm ready to go have fun and get past all of the health risk, but I have four kids I want to come home healthy for. If you have any tips let me know [Linked Image]!

#50936 05/13/02 04:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
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Hmmmm...medical issues can be worrisome! Botfly prevention...if you are going into dense jungle areas (to see mayan ruins, for example), wear a hat, and cover as much of skin as possible-long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks, etc. It may be hot, BUT, better than getting a botfly burrowing under your skin! As far as cholera, typhoid and malaria: I would check with your nearest travel medicine clinic. Large hospitals, university hospitals and teaching hospitals typically have them. If you're staying on Ambergris and San Pedro, I think you're risk is pretty low for any of those. But I am not a medical person, so best to check with travel clinic.

#50937 05/13/02 06:52 PM
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Again, bad advice from someone who at least admits no medical traing. Hats, off to you. Take an antibiotic and get Candida, then see how your troubles multiply. Boost your immune system and worry not. Use natural herbal remedies and forget about it.

#50938 05/13/02 08:41 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
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thanks again dr glen for your helpful and kind insight. (and exactly how many times have you actually BEEN there?)

now, if you aren't going into the jungle, do not even worry. if it is AC only, bring some 'off' or baby oil or cannip oil or skin-so-soft or whatever rings your bell. and benedryl cream in case you do get bit.

#50939 05/13/02 09:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
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hmmm... and I'm sure there is an herbal remedy for malaria.


"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
#50940 05/13/02 09:43 PM
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Why do you let Dr.Glenn annoy you?

Dr. will continue if you respond.

Keep your upbeat senses of humor.
[Linked Image]
But....each to their own.

#50941 05/13/02 09:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
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This subject has been extensively discussed. Do a search of the archives. The general consensus is that chloroquine prophylaxis is usually viewed as overkill by people going ONLY to Ambergris Caye (or other resort areas) because the risk of malaria is very very low, and particularly on AC.
If you are going to be camping in the bush, or spending considerable time outside of resort areas in Toledo, Cayo or Orange Walk districts, you should seriously consider taking the chloroquine prophylaxis treatment. There are no choloroquine resistant malaria vectors known to be in Belize. Choloroquine does not usually cause substantial side effects in most people who take it (unlike the prophylactic for choloroquine resistant malaria, which is pretty nasty stuff).
You should be prepared with a bottle of some kind of repellant containing DEET, as well as the so called "natural" stuff, though you may not need it on AC, but you won't know that til you get there. Not many mosquitos USUALLY when its not rainy, but sometimes the no see ums come out, and if you are coming in the rainy season, you will want your "Off" around twilight at least, or if going biking on a jungly path. If you want protection against no see ums, you need the "Deep Woods" version of OFF (the green label...the orange label stuff won't protect you against no see ums...)
No I am not a doctor..nor do I play one on this board (unlike certain other people who will go unmentioned)..just an experienced traveler who has done the research.


Susan Guberman-Garcia, Attorney at Law. Phone: 510-792-2639
Fax/Voicemail:: 510-405-2016 Email: [email protected]
#50942 05/13/02 09:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
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Iceslider---While not the drug of choice, doxycycline is acceptable for malaria prophylaxis. Unless you are going for overnight stays on the mainland, I wouldn't worry about it. No malaria on the island. Hep shots are always good to have in a third world country. As far as the others, don't worry about it. While it may be possible (have been doing medical and dental work in Belize for 8 years), I have not seen any of those listed. My daughter did pick up a canine hookworm in her foot one year, but was easily treated once we got home and discovered what it was. Bottom line, wear your bug spray at sunrise and sunset and worry about more important things like what wonderful restaraunt you are going to eat at that night.
By the way, don't know who this "Dr. Glen" is thats giving these bad bits of medical advice on the board, but some of his suggestions are a little scary.

#50943 05/13/02 11:13 PM
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Thank you for all of your thoughts. I plan to take the malaria prophlaxis since we want to do a mayan ruin trip and maybe tubing. Is there any local tubing trips that don't include a zoo? I've had my share of zoos with the kids.

#50944 05/14/02 12:25 AM
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To the person whose physician is prescribing doxycycline as a prophylactic to prevent contracting non-choloroquine-resistant malaria: You are getting poor medical advice. Doxycycline has been on occasion recommended for malaria prophylaxis, but ONLY in situations where chloroquine is not available and the risk is high.
There is no reason why anyone planning a trip to the jungles of Belize from any Western country should not be able to obtain chloroquine. While chloroquine is overpriced in the US (it's ten times the price you would pay anywhere in Central America) it is easily available.
Unfortunately, some American physicians are prone to dispense antibiotics like candy, even when there is no good reason for taking them. As a result, there is a growing problem with antibiotic resistant illness in the US. There is no good reason to expose your system to an unnecessary course of antiobiotic. If you are only going to Ambergris Caye, your risk of contracting malaria is so slight (nothing is ever 100% tisk free) that it makes taking any kind of prophylactic questionable. If you feel you want to take something anyway, get your doc to write a prescription for chloroquine. If he doesn't know what that is, tell him to go to www.malaria.org and do a bit of research, or call a tropical medicine specialist. If your pharmacy doesn't have it, call another one.


Susan Guberman-Garcia, Attorney at Law. Phone: 510-792-2639
Fax/Voicemail:: 510-405-2016 Email: [email protected]
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