India in September
 

We are going to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, and Khajuraho in September. Should we get typhoid and malaria pills? Are the mosquitoes bad this time of year? Thanks so much!

We will be going then too. Since September is the end of the monsoon season, it is natural to expect mosquitoes. Why take a risk?

Thanks for the advice, dgunbug! Are you going by yourselves or on a tour?

We are also going to Varanaski. Then we are going to Napal.

The typhoid vacine is wise for anyone traveling to tropical or semi-tropical countries.

My husband and I are traveling independently and have 24 days in India. We've used malarone in the past when in Asia (for the mosquitoes) and had no negative reaction.

Regardless of the prophylactic meds you take, remember that prevention is better than the cure.

Avoid mosquito bites and avoid being tempted to eat food from street vendors (enticing as it is) or private homes of people you don't know well. Even the locals get diarrhea and fever from eating out.

Depending on the quality of your accommodations, you should sleep with a mosquito net over your bed.

If you're going to be in the general touristy areas, so much prophylaxis is not necessary. It's when you venture off the beaten path to villages and jungle/wooded areas that you need to be more concerned.

Thanks so much! We will be traveling with Vantage Travel so we will be going only to the touristy places. I am wondering about getting the typhoid pills. Then, using bug spray everyday for the mosquitoes...

Typhoid is a food and water-borne illness. You have no control over who handles your food or their level of conscientiousness about sanitation. Also, there are strains of antibiotic-resistant typhoid in this area. The oral vaccine is effective for 4 - 5 years.

No matter what your decision about anti-malarials, you should use an effective repellant as malaria isn't the only mosquito-borne illness. I'd suggest you make the decision about anti-malarials with a travel medicine specialist.

Are you up to date on all of your routine vaccines? Have you checked to see if you need boosters for measles/mumps/rubella and polio?

Check when you had your last Tetanus booster too (that's a good reminder even if you're not traveling).

Thank you to all who responded! We are still trying to decide what to do! I had stomach problems when taking malaria pills while traveling in Africa...That is why I am hesitating...!

Remember that there are several types of anti-malarials they each have different side effect profiles. Talk with a doctor about your past experience and discuss options for this trip.

Which malaria pills did you take? You can have ill effects with one pill and not another. Kathie is right about consulting with a travel specialist and also about using repellents irregardless. As for typhoid, I believe we had an injection for that.

Thanks! We are up to date on our vaccines. We will probably add the typhoid and malaria after hearing from everyone.