Traveling to Singapore / India - Vaccinations & Maleria

[Steady]

My wife and I are traveling through Singapore and India for about a week at each (+ Some others) later in the year, as my wife hasn’t had any travel vaccinations we went in to one of the Travel clinics to see if she needed anything, or if I was due for more. Most of what was discussed made sense to me - tetanus up to date (last 5 years), hep A, Typhoid etc (hep B & Rabies optional, Zika if applicable etc)

I was surprised to hear we ‘need’ anti malerial medication for Singapore - I have been there a couple of times and had never considered it. Is the travel clinic just hard selling products, or is anti malerial medication standard fare for travelers to Singapore?

They were also strongly suggesting we have the oral Cholera vac - their paperwork said Cholera transmission is Low and to take the vaccination “if at risk” it goes on to say:

The CDC recommends this vaccine for adults traveling to areas of active Cholera transmission. Cholera is assumed to be present in India. Cholera is Rare in travelers but can be severe. Deaths / outbreaks reported in 2016

For those who have travelled to India, did you have the Cholera Vac?

I am not against having it - I just have the feeling the Travel clinic may be trying to sell us something that isn’t really needed

 

[Pushka]

One of our friends did become very ill with something like Ross River in Singapore. Anyway it was mosquito borne and not one that can be immunised against. Prevention is always best. But we’ve been to Singapore multiple times and have been fine.

We have traveled into India a few times and son and husband trekked into India for about 3 weeks. They did not eat meat while there and they did not get sick which for those two is very unusual as they are tummy trouble people. They took general antibiotics with them but had no shots. And they travelled very very rough.

So my thoughts - only eat freshly cooked hot vegetables and rice and avoid any meat including chicken and fish. Their vegetable curries are excellent. They did eat that cheese dish - paneer - that is cooked in curry, quite a lot. Bottled water only and make sure it’s a proper sealed bottle. No ice at all. No straws. Make sure any bottle is opened in front of you but best if you open it yourself unless in a quality restaurant. Avoid glasses, and drink from the bottle. Take the ‘poo packs’ and if you do get diarrhoea and don’t have to travel then don’t take the plug up stuff but just let it run it’s course. If you get fever and sweats then take the antibiotics and maybe get medical help.

 

[Major]

I wouldn't be concerned about malaria in Singapore but it is certainly a problem in India.

We are going to Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks and our Doc. has prescribed Doxylin 100 tablets for prevention of malaria. They are an antibiotic from the tetracycline family. A daily pill starting a couple of days before departure and continuing for a week after return.

 

[Steady]

I wouldn't be concerned about malaria in Singapore but it is certainly a problem in India.

We are going to Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks and our Doc. has prescribed Doxylin 100 tablets for prevention of malaria. They are an antibiotic from the tetracycline family. A daily pill starting a couple of days before departure and continuing for a week after return.

Yes, no issues with Anti malerial medication for the India part of our trip.

Reading the information book the Travel clinic gave us it recommends only hi risk travelers take the Cholera vac - they give examples of high risk as working in a refugee camp or emergency aid etc, or spending an extended period of time in a rural area - not sure why the clinic would be pushing it for us.

 

[Pushka]

I wouldn't be concerned about malaria in Singapore but it is certainly a problem in India.

We are going to Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks and our Doc. has prescribed Doxylin 100 tablets for prevention of malaria. They are an antibiotic from the tetracycline family. A daily pill starting a couple of days before departure and continuing for a week after return.

Not sure that is needed for Sri Lanka as Malaria has been eliminated
WHO certifies Sri Lanka malaria-free

Why bother if I get ignred.