Immunisations
The immunisations we need are:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
- Diptheria
- Polio
- Rabies
- Yellow Fever
- Meningitis ACWY
Anti-malarials
Obviously anti-malarials are essential - it is just a case of deciding which one to use. We are going to use Malarone for our trip purely because it has very few side effects - however, it is very expensive.
Basically you have a choice of 3 malaria prophylactics:
Malarone - this is taken daily and has very few side effects. When we visited our GP for advice she was quite happy to prescribe it for 3 months use, and her little book said it was now considered safe for up to 6 months. There is also a paediatric version for Oli, however it is very expensive - the cheapest we found it for was £2.10 per tablet for adulst or £0.75 for the paediatric tablets on Boots online.
Lariam - this is taken weekly (same day each week) but can have a number of nasty side effects. It can be taken by children and is cheaper than Malarone. Having voiced our concerns about giving Lariam to Oli we were told that the side effects in young children are a lot less and that children can use it.
Doxycycline - this is basically an antibiotic that is used to prevent and treat malaria. 2 tablets daily, again this can have a number of nasty side effects and shouldn't be taken by children under 12 years of age.
Medical / First Aid Kit
The medical kit we are taking will consist of all the usual bandages, dressings and wound coverings. We will also take various painkillers, cream for insect bites and stings, antiseptic wash, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoea tablets and re-hydration powders. We are also taking a sterile kit which includes needles and an emergency dental kit which includes clove oil.
Antibiotics
We will also be taking some Amoxicilin just in case of any need for antibiotics.