Also. Filmwill's fave, Ultrathon is both longer lasting and less is absorbed through the skin because it's encapuslated. Many people consider it the repellant of choice.

Re malaria meds, my understanding (from my travels to some of these areas) is that Larium is the best generally b/c it has the most wide ranging protection. Depending on where you go, there may be specific strains that might be better targeted by another specific medication.

The side effects of larium are a bit unusual in that they tend toward psychologial (irritability, nighmares etc.). Anecdotally, in my travels, prior to taking larium, I asked others what their experiences were. It seemed that women seemed to have more of these symptoms than guys (or at least were willing to discuss them!). My only issue was insomnia for the first 2 days after the first dose. Ironically, I was so paranoid about "irritability" that anytime I felt annoyed I assumed it was the medicine and thus didn't give in to it - thus I was probably easier to get along with!!

Susan, there is significant malarial resistance to Larium in parts of SE Asia. As a result, many travel med docs prefer not use use it at all in SE Asia.

Malarone is effective in all malarial areas of Asia, as is doxycycline. In general, these two are preferred in SE Asia because of the resistance to larium. Also, as you note, Larium has some serious side effects, so many people prefer to avoid it. About one third of people who take larium have some psychological side effects from it, ranging from vivid and disturbing dreams to irritability to anxiety to depression, and in the most serious cases, paranoia and even psychosis. That said, about two thirds of people can take larium without serious side effects, as you were able to do.

The cdc website has much more detailed information about anti-malarials than I am able to give here. wwwn.cdc.gov/travel

I will on the Yangtze for 4 days in 2 weeks, between Chongqing and Wuhan. Do I need bug spray for this area??

You should take an insect repellant with you no matter where you are going.

This little tidbit of information will probably be only interesting to me (I am a nurse). The latest theory I have heard about mosquitos is- they bite those of us who are "efficient cholesterol processors". Supposedly, because we process our cholesterol the cholesterol is laying on our skin rather than bound in the blood so the mosquitos are chomping on our cholesterol deposits. See if it is true for you. Is your cholesterol low? Do mosquitos love you? Meanwhile, I use 100% DEET. I am beyond child bearing years!

Interesting theory, lyn. I hadn't heard that one. As you probably know most of the research has been done on the release of carbon dioxide as the way mosquitoes locate you. Why one person is "tastier" than another has been a mystery.

BTW, 100% deet is not meant for application to the skin. The recommended percentage of deet for an effective repellant is 20-50%. Within that range the higher percentage gives longer-lasting protection. Percentages higher than 50% simply increase the chances of a skin reaction without increasing the effectiveness of the repellant.