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[nesrytravels]

Backpacking a short two week trip through Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan next week.

Originally decided against malaria prophylaxis, thinking it was too short of a time for such drugs which are not always great to one's general well being (to say the least). Also, CDC only reports some areas of Guatemala and Belize as "high-risk areas"... I do have a tendency to wonder off the beaten path, but nothing too extreme.

Now as my trip draws near, i find myself a little on the paranoid side of things (!!) Maybe i should have gone about this differently??

Anyone have any advice or past experiences?? Any (realistic) info about malaria risks in those countries in general??

[wakingdream]

Look at those high risk areas. If there's any chance you'll be traveling through them then take the pills with you. I think CDC is really good with the accuracy of detected threats and I personally trust advice from the organization.

I took malaria pills on my first trip overseas where there were risks in certain areas. Just in case, as I'm like you and have a tendency to wander off "the path". The drugs can definitely be hard on your body. I never touched them only b/c I didn't enter those high risk areas but felt better that I had them in case. It's really up to you tho.



Also, check out Malaria Pills thread from the travel lounge for some other travelers' perspectives.

[lauraexplorer]

Personally i think you should take it.

I went with a friend to Bangalore which is a low risk area. We took avoclor and paulidrine tablets.
2 weeks after the visit he had malaria, i need a blood test as I'm suffering from symptoms

do NOT take the risk, your like is worth more than the £20 or so pounds it costs.
if you have bad side effects then consult your doctor

Lauradana
(lauraexplorer, age 17)

[Jessica_CDN]

I think it's pretty important that if you're going to be in one of those areas, even for a short time, to take the medication.

When I was in Mexico (Palenque & San Cristobal) I went out for long walks and got bitten by mosquitos - ended up contracting Dengue. I was pretty lucky that it wasn't malaria, since I think it was active in the Palenque region at the time. Pretty silly of me not to take it.

Good luck!

[wakingdream]

Also remember that if you take the medication it is in no way a guarantee that you won't contract malaria. Take the above advice for repelling mosquitoes.