Job Discussion Forums

[Flicka]

What anti-malarials, if any, do you all take? I'll be based on Sumatra and I gather the malaria is a big problem there?

Doc is recommending jabs against rabies, japanese encephalitis, hep b...does all this sound about right?

Are there any homeopathic anti-malarials that are effective?

So many questions!!

[Atoms for Peace]

[malu]

For long term residents here antimalarials are more trouble than they are worth and apart from short visits to real hot-spots such as Ujung Kulon nature reserve or the Mentawai Islands I don't know any resident expats that ever take them.

If you take a routine protective dose for an extended period of time the side-effects are cumulative and more dangerous than the risk of the disease itself. If you do contract malaria then a brief and heavy treatment dose of the modern antimalarials is effective.

Homeopathic antimalarials are utterly useless and it is better to spend the (often considerable) cost on mosquito repellents and mozzie mesh.

I would be more concerned about diseases like dengue and chikungunya than malaria, as the former exist in major cities where most expats live. Repellent, bug killers and eliminating mosquito breeding opportunities around the home and garden are the way to go.

[Ozindo]

Agree with Malu. Antimalarials taken over a long period can make your body non-resistant to other infections; one medication can also accelerate depression.
Like Malu, I'd be more worried about things like dengue and its "friends".
Rabies vaccinations are a good idea, but you need to be aware that if you come in contact with a rabid animal (even its saliva) you need to have a further injection immediately. Forget the movies - animals with rabies are not always drooling, snarling creatures; they can carry the disease with no symptoms apparent to the average lay person. I'm not suggesting that rabies is endemic; but it does exist and you should be aware.
The World Health Organisation (among others) have a good website if you want to check these sort of things out.
I'm not against homeopathy, but common sense prevention of mosquito larvae and vermin will keep you healthier, for less money.
Relax, enjoy, take basic hygiene steps and you should be fine.
All the best

[Eva_madison]

What vaccines would you reccomend as being essential? Rabis? JEV? Hep A?

My body does not like vaccines and I usually get side effects...It sucks, I'm really sick for a few weeks but survive...So I tend to only get the ones I need. I have one shot of Hep A but never went back for the second, that was two years ago would I need both shots over, just one or should I be immune?

I'm going to see my doc in a few weeks but was looking for some options from people who are actually there...which ones are nessicary?

[malu]

The ones I would keep up to date are Hep A and Typhoid.