Vaccinations- malaria, hep, rabies etc (ASIA)

you don't know if you'll even get any side effects
http://www.malariahotspots.co.uk/

Well Malarone can be prescribed for a maximum of 3 months AFAIK, plus its very expensive when compared to the alternatives. Doxycycline was the first thing suggested to me too, until I told her I'd rather go with Malarone (after reading about side affects and what-not before hand, figured it was worth paying the extra if its gunna save me being ill). Its much more critical in Africa though, really a lot of the places they recommend medication for its rarely needed. Afterall approximately 80 percent of malaria cases and 90 to 95 percent of malaria-related deaths in the world are estimated to be in Africa (though this could be partly to due with lack of treatment rather than actual prevalence!)

Another thing, Malaria medication only prevents the parasite from developing. Its basically a poison which your taking the entire time (hence the side affects). If you cought Malaria, then went straight to a doctor you would be fine (they would then likely give you some Doxycycline to kill the parasite). The only problem is Malaria symtoms are very similar to a lot of other stuff - nausia, head aches, flu like symtoms - which could be caused by a number of things. What some travellers do is simply carry around an emergency packet of pills to take if they think they've contracted Malaria. Ofcourse side affects are going to be more severe when you take this emergency prescription since you'll be taking more than one pill at a time. Atleast this way you don't have to take them every day though.

Waiting till you actually contract Malaria before taking any anti-malarials just doesn't sound like the most fun. Especially if you're not even sure you're going to react to the anti-malarials! I know it's not as prevalent in SE Asia but if there's a chance of getting it...

II've been to SE Asia and tried looking for a decent hospital in Cambodia when I was bitten by a poisonous spider. I ended up sitting on a minibus for 10 hours to get back to Bangkok. Better safe than sorry IMO.

You should have had DTP when you were young. I have to pay something like £40 for the Jap B and Rabies.

I was in SE Asia for a 6 month period, and yes I most certainly agree with you that possible side effects of malaria tablets are better than risking malaria, but on this point, did your insurance not pay for you to be flown to Bangkok? Or you could at least have seen an international doctor in Phnom Penh?

So I think another important point to make is that have vaccinations, take malaria tablets, but also don't go anywhere without insurance :P

J