Antimalarial drug before going to the jungle in Belize
 

My daughter and I will be staying at Chaa Creek for a few days in January. Is an antimalarial drug course beforehand recommended?

I''m not a doc, but lived next to Chaa Creek for 7 yrs and visit all the time and do not see the need for meds for you, or my visiting family, friends or clients.

The Center for Disease Control would suggest chloroquine, but I agree with Katie. It would mean starting a week ahead and continuing for 4 weeks after; 5-6 weeks of medication for a few days in the "jungle". I'd wear long sleeves/pants early and late in the day and use good bug stuff; I like Ultrathon and Sawyer's Time Release Deet formula - both extremely affective but with limited deet absorption. Here's the CDC site in case you'd like to read up yourself - happy trails!
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/belize.aspx

We didn't take anything when we stayed there, but we did use repellent.

http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destin...rib/belize.php

CDC/MDs suggest preventives all areas are risk areas

except for Belize City

I've got my prescription waiting for me at the pharmacy but that's b/c mosquitoes love me & I'm only staying in BC 1/14 nights.

Malarone can be started 2 days before and continues only 7 days after and is similarly well tolerated.

Unless there's a medical reason to use Malarone instead of Chloroquine, I have a real problem with people using it because it may be 'easier'. What it does is cause resistance. The mosquitoes in Belize are still sensitive to Chloroquine. Let's not expose them to the stronger stuff until it becomes necessary.

Sort of like giving a person Cipro when plain old Penicillin will work....