Malaria tablets for south America ?

Question

Hey guys ! Travelling to Brazil real soon, gonna be visiting peru, chili, paraguary, argentina, uraguay. Columbia, Venazdooda, and hopfully everwhere else. Its just i have had a yellow fever jab and am now wondering whether to get the Malaria tablets !

Any of you guys been or there now and did not feel the need to put yourself through the whole side effect thing !

Cheers

Answer 1

Before I went to South America I got all of the vaccinations and they gave me an Rx for Malaria tablets, so I took them with me but never ended up taking them.  Check with your doctor about areas where it is recommended.  You're safe in Argentina and Uruguay for sure, so you won't need them there.  I think that they recommend you take them if you go to a very small part of Peru, but not if you're just going to Lima, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu.  Chile is safe.  I'm not sure about the other countries, but your doctor or nurse should be able to print out a map to show you where you'll need the protection.  I took them when I went to Nicaragua (chloroquine) and never had any side effects, so I guess it depends on your body's ability to handle the medication.  Talk to your doctor about all of the options because there are a few different types of meds.

Answer 2

Hello,

  I have traveled to South America-Argentina, Uruguay and Peru and did not take milaria pills. I was totally fine and I did travel to some remote places in Argentina.

When I traveld to Guatemala though-central america I was required to get a typhoid fever shot and take milaria pills. I was fine but the pills are pretty expensive. Some people say the pills give you horrific nightmares and or make you nausious but i was fine. To be safe though don't take them right before you go to bed. Have fun and good luck.