Malaria tablets+insect bites in late March to mid-April

We%26#39;ve planned a 3 week tailor-made trip from late March to mid-April visiting - Beijing:Yangshuo:Xian:Chengdu:Emei Shan:Chongqing (Dazu):Yangtze cruise and Shanghai.

I react badly to insect bites and we would like to know if we need to take malaria tablets-for these places at this time of year. If so, what tablets do you recommend ?

How much problem will there be with other insects at this time of year - any advice ?

Malaria tablets+insect bites in late March to mid-April

The cure is worse than the disease.

I have lived as an expat in PNG,Singapore, Indonesia and now China 6 years.

There is far more side effects from taking the tablets.It will not prevent the infection and if you are infected can mask the symptons.

Do alot more research and ask people who have lived in the tropics before you consider this drastic action.

Side effects can be liver damage and worse.

Malaria tablets+insect bites in late March to mid-April

You should discuss with your doctor, since they know your specifics, but doctors also tend to over recommend, as they are not familiar with regions and seasons in China.

You should also look at government websites (the CDC, WHO, Health Canada, etc) for information about the level of risk and times of risk in these areas. I think you will find that malaria is not very prevalent in these places at the times you are going.

Now for my two cents: Reacting badly to insect bites has nothing to do with your risk for malaria. In fact, since you react to insect bites, you are going to want to avoid bites whether or not there is a risk of malaria. The best way to avoid malaria is not to take tablets, but to avoid getting bitten in the first place.

I doubt you%26#39;ll have major problems with mosquitos this time of year, but there will probably be some. I would bring good insect repellant with high DEET content and perhaps purchase some mosquito coils to use at night.

I lived in rural China for a year without taking tablets and I didn%26#39;t catch anything--though mosquitos did disturb my sleep a few times. The risk to the typical tourist is not high.

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