Malaria Pills for Belize travel??

Peaches2010 · May 1, 2009

Hi Ladies,

My fiance and I went to our local traveler's health clinic to update our shots (hep b and a) and we told her about our honeymoon plans for Belize. She told us we would need malaria pills if traveling to Belize outside of Belize City......

any thoughts around this? Anyone traveled to Belize before? Did you get malaria pills? She mentioned that the risk is 14%......I just wanted to get an idea of taking malaria pills is a common thing for travelers going to Belize..

thanks!

Jacilynda · May 1, 2009

I know this is recommended of short trips to belize. We lived in belize for 13 months and long term use of the drugs causes liver damage so we never used it. For the type of malaria in belize they use the same pills to prevent it as they do to cure it. So it doesn't hurt for a short term trip. Definitely use mosquito repellent. In my personal opinion you could go w/out but it doesn't hurt so you could get it as well, your choice

Where are you planning on staying? I really think the chance of getting malaria depends on where you are what you're up to, how long your there etc. If you aren't roaming through the jungle and its a short trip I don't think you have much to worry about. I'm not a doctor though. I don't know the price of the pills if they aren't much I'd say just do it to be cautious. If you take them you're almost guaranteed to not get malaria

tylersgirl · May 1, 2009

Yeah, I agree with Jac. I have been several times to Belize and I ventured off and went towards the border of Guatemala. I didn't take anything and I am fine It is totally up to you. I don't think it will hurt to take them if its just a little while for your honeymoon.