The Gambia Travel Forum

Hi

Could anybody tell me if Malorone is available in the Gambia and at what cost.

Thanks

Hi I know it is cheaper than in France , but it is better if you buy it in your country.

I would always advise getting your malaria pills from a guaranteed source. Very often you get placebos, unquantified or out of date medicines in Africa. It's best to protect yourself using qualified fresh products.

I agree with you.

I agree with you.

You need to buy your meds and start taking them BEFORE you go to the Gambia.
Gambia has the nastiest mozzies in the world and you will need all the protection you can get.

Mosquitoes, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

This is a question that appears quite a lot here on VT.
You will hear from people who never take any kind of medication.
You will hear from those who do.

May I suggest that you contact your own doctor, practice nurse or travel clinic and ask for their advice?
If they recommend that you use some form of medication, get them to recommend the treatment.
You may find that some treatments you make you ill, if so, ask the doctor for an alternative.

Different anti malaria medication effects different people in different ways, what is good for one person is not always good for another. You won't know this until you have tried a particular medicine.

At present, there is no cure for Dengue Fever.
Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

Is prevention better than the cure?
Of course it is.
DEET based products are the most effective way of repelling mosquitoes.
Available in different forms and strengths, users should always read the instructions carefully

“I will only be there 3 or 4 days, do I really need to take the medicine”
It does not matter, if it is an infected area, 3 or 4 minutes is all it takes to get Malaria.

Either way, you can return from your holiday with some great photographs, a sun tan and good memories or in a body bag.
The choice is yours.

True fact: - Malaria has killed more than half the people who have EVER lived.

This reply may appear to be a little melodramatic and over the top.
IT IS MEANT TO BE.
Too much irresponsible and bad information is given out over forums regarding the mosquito and its potential to kill.

Hi , don't forget the injection against typhus amaryl which has to be done less than 10 days before you leave to gambia.

Actually, Ricky52 has a point. You need to research the kind of mosquito or disease in the area you plan to visit.

You can visit the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicines site (which has up to date research on diseases) not just malaria but river blindness, schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis. It is extrememly important that you know about the local diseases. I answered your question specifically for malaria. However, we have been doing research in W Africa for a long while and the trick is to research without actually getting the disease yourself.

I certainly would not bathe in rivers or pools there, no matter how hot you are.