Traveling to India - share lists, tips & suggestions

hi Sakthi,
regarding Malaria medication i have few doubts.How old was your kid when you followed this?because i was not told to do this medication when i went to India with my then 1 1/2 yrs old son.Just want to know why your paed suggested this.

Dreamscometrue,
Please consult your paediatrician before starting any medication.

 

Supriya, I traveled to India when P was about 20 months When I checked with ped about the malaria vaccine he asked me to consult a travel medicine specialist since they would not prescribe for under 2 (because for under 2, they will only let the travel medicine specialists prescribe) So I went to a travel medicine clinic and he gave me the prescription. Of course my ped was in the loop. For my second India trip P was over 2 so my ped himself gave me the Mefloquine prescription.

 

Sindhu,
Surprising that i was not told any of these.

 

Thanks Shakti.. Really appreciate the immediate response.yes we plan to use diapers on;y during night and while traveling. God to know about the malaria medications. we will discuss this with the ped tomorrow..

 

Thank you supriya for the suggestion.

Even I am planning to go my daughter's pedi, I am just collecting the info from our dear friends.

 

Same here Supriya.
I asked about this to our ped. and she told that it is not given. I am concerned about BCG vaccination too. Again she replied they won't give it here, but if my LO contracts TB then they will treat it. How generous of them:rant!!!!!
B/w Sindhu what is this travel medicine specialist? All these terms are new to me.
- Nitha

 

Hi Supriya,
There are side effects for Malaria tablets.The tablets are not advisable for kids under 2.
Thanks
Mangai

 

Even my daughter's pediatrician recommended malaria medicine when we went to india around 6 months of her age.But i didn't use it becoz i was travelling back and forth from my inlaws and my mom's place.She said that it might cause some stomach upset so i didn't use it.The tablet was same and has to given by breaking into pieces.

 

Travel Medicine specialists are exactly that - they specialize in diseases that ocur in different areas of the word and vaccinations/remedies for them. They are regulated by the International Society of Travel Medicine - The International Society of Travel Medicine. I used this link to find a travel medicine clinic in my area.

Also please see the CDC publication on malaria prevention in infants and children - Prevention in Children, Provider Info | CDC Malaria.
The page lists anti-malarial drugs and specific pediatric dosage for different weights.

We used mefloquine according to my travel medicine specialists prescription (pediatrician referred me to him) and the prescription followed CDC guideline of 1/4 tablet once a week.

Regarding side effects, any intravenous drug or invasive procedure may have some side effects, so we have to carefully weigh risks against benefits. I was going to my DH's place and you will not believe the mosquitoes theer - they are like helicopters So I took the mefloquine (Lariam)

I have no idea why, Supriya...

 

Hi friends,

I gave the malaria medicine when my baby was 4 1/2 months old.
Since India is a country where we will find more mosquitoes,the prediatrican informed us its really necessary to treat him,then its all up to your choose.We enquired the travel clinic also they also said that its good to have it.
But still me & my hubby was so much wondered either to give him since the medication has got its own side effects or just leave,but after seeing the huge,huge mosquitoes we set our mind to treat him.
We also enquired our prediatrican in India he also adviced us to give him.

My baby didn't get any sideeffects he was ok,but crying a lot because of the taste,it tastes so bitter than a bitterguard.He stops crying after giving him mylicon since its so sweat.

But some prediatrican here will recommand after a year only.