In Reply to: I have always reacted badly posted by Alanna on Thursday, 4. August 2005 at 11:15 Bali Time:
You probably were given doxycycline...it's most common side effect is sun sensitivity, then stomach upset. It's an antibiotic. The other common ones used for Asia are Malarone and Larium. Malarone's common side effect is stomach upset. Larium's most bothersome and dangerous side effect is psychological upset...it's not usuallly prescribed unless it's the only reasonable choice. There are others as well. Whether to take them or not is a decision that must be carefully considered with the guidance of a professional.
There are some that believe that taking them after the onset of symptoms...however, unless you have a test for malaria, how would you know you were showing malaria symptoms rather than something else? Self-medicating with such powerful medications and serious diseases seems fool-hardy.
Taking precautions such as trying to prevent mosquito bites with DEET, clothing, room coils, nets and so on, as well as prophylactic medication used as prescribed by a competent physician is more prudent in my opinion. Educating yourself beyond what your doctor might choose to share with you about your choices and treatments is also never a bad idea at all.