eastrunner

We are due to fly out this Thursday for 2 weeks with a toddler, anyone been there recently with kids? and how did you deal with the mosquitos? very mixed messages on dengue fever. We are looking at rescheduling.


ER

carcajou

I know someone who went a few years ago, and contracted it. Not fun!

I have to travel a lot in Africa and here is how I deal with mosquitoes there: I dress fairly similar to how I do in the Middle East (long-sleeved collared shirt, trousers), though in Africa I will also wear a hat. The more of you that is covered up = the less area mosquitoes have to bite you, and in many places that look is also culturally sensitive as opposed to the "vacationing Westerner on the beach" look.

I sleep under a mosquito net - I usually bring my own as you can't assume that the local accommodation will have one (or if they do, that it doesn't have holes in it). I'll often find some way to tack the mosquito net to the bed because I tend to toss and turn and this can dislodge the net and leave me exposed.

I will also have some repellent on my neck etc.

That is Africa, though, I worry much, much, much less in Asia. African mosquitoes can also transmit cerebral malaria which can kill you in 24 hours - not really a worry in Asia.

Not something I would re-schedule my holiday over.

scrubbedexpat141

Gulp.

Dubaiexile

A friend of mine contracted cerebral malaria in Africa a couple of years ago, he died about 4 months later!!

Always take precautions, such as repellent sprays, nets etc....in some cases Malaria, if contracted, will return and it can be quite debilitating!

Having traveled and worked in Africa, it is the only way to ensure you will not get it, although having said that I never take any of the pills for it, as some have nasty side effects!

Dubaiexile

It seems that you may be traveling at what is considered to be a high risk month as well, I don`t mean to be the harbinger of bad news! Although having said that, if you take the precautions everything should be ok!

Here is some info that might be of interest;

https://www.iamat.org/country/sri-lanka/risk/dengue

SRI LANKA: Dengue Fever Epidemic In Sri Lanka Vs. State Responsibility | Sri Lanka Brief

carcajou

Dubaiexile, I agree. I try to avoid anti-malaria pills. If I feel I have to go on them - I avoid Lariam at all costs (that trades under a variety of different names but is the one you take once a week). In Africa doctors also tell me to avoid Lariam. UAE doctors will try to foist it on you but insist on taking something else, and give them plenty of time to source it. Doxycycline is the one I go for even though that comes with its own set of issues. I also usually travel with a thermometer and take my temperature when I wake up, and again at night - at the first hint of a fever assume you have malaria and get to a hospital! Minutes really can count, and most clinics even in the bush are Malaria-experienced and can do testing and some treatment! I wouldn't want to be showing a fever at night in Africa without knowing what was causing it, since if I go to sleep I might not wake up . . .

But, thankfully, cerebral malaria will not be a problem for OP in Sri Lanka . . . and on holiday rabies shouldn't be an issue either . . .

eastrunner

Thanks all interesting points, taking loads of repellant and long sleeve clothing


ER