If travel will involve areas of the world endemic for malaria, prophylaxis is recommended. 500 mg once a week, beginning 2 weeks prior to leaving. 250 mg once a week, beginning 2 weeks prior to leaving. All medications should be continued for 4 weeks after leaving the endemic area. If you are traveling to an area of chloroquine resistant malaria, Lariam should be taken.
Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes.
If you are going out into the jungle after dark, use some bug repellent which has a high concentration of DEET to protect you. If an older individual is traveling internationally, it is recommended that polio immunizations be current, regardless of age. There are minimal side effects to the vaccine except for a very small risk of vaccine-associated paralysis in certain individuals over 18 years of age. It may contain, however, traces of neomycin or streptomycin remaining from its production. Hypersensitive individuals should receive the OPV instead.