About Madeleine Morris Expertise Regarding Vietnam, I have lived in Ho Chi Minh City for more than four years and have travelled extensively elsewhere in the country. I speak Vietnamese quite well, as well as French and Spanish. I can answer questions on where to stay, what to see and where to go. I can also answer questions about cultural etiquette; both professional and personal. For anyone coming to settle for a while in Vietnam, I can answer questions on most topics concercing settling in, doing business, legal and visa issues, language, where to shop, how to get help, emergencies, etc.
Experience I have lived in Vietnam for six years now (and can't seem to find a way to update the "expertise" part of this profile! I currently teach full time at RMIT Vietnam.
Organizations International Ladies in Vietnam Org
Canadian Vietnamese Business Association
Question I've had menanjitis and hep injections and rabies too.
I think that my nurse told me that one of the areas I'm going to had a tolerance of Larium. My destinations are China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
What would you recommend that I do?
Also, how much are the lariam tablets?
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Madeleine,
I'm heading off to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand soon. I've had my Japanese encephalitis and Yellow fever done and am now thinking about Malaria tablets.
My nurse has recommended Malerone tablets, but has quoted me £190 for 60 tablets. Firstly, do you know where I can find them at a slightly lower proce, and also, will I be able to pick up any more tablets in places like Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh?
Answer -
Dear Peter,
I would suggest you also get Hepatitis B and Meningitis A & C.
Regarding the malaria tabs, I think you'll find they may be somewhat cheaper in Bangkok. But it's still a pretty new drug and so it's going to cost the same or even more in HCMC. If you can take Lariam,(mefloquine), it's much cheaper and effective and you only have to take one a week. The only problem most people have are some really VIVID dreams. But it's not recommended for anyone who's had psychiatric problems.
The bottom line, Peter, if you are staying mostly in the cities, you don't need the anti-malarials at all. If you are spending much time in the countryside, you do. And honestly, if you come down with malaria and live through it, you'll beat yourself up for years for stupidly not having spent the money and bought the pills.
A very cheap alternative is doxycycline, but you have to take it everyday, with food (or it upsets your stomach), and make sure you wear a shitload of sunscreen because it makes your skin VERY photosensitive.
Hope this has been of some use and I do hope you enjoy your travels,
Peter, it's up to you. Either stay away from those areas, take really good precautions such as covering yourself in DEET an hour before the sun goes down and sleeping under a net, or swallow the bill pill and buy the Malarone.
