# Travel to Honduras--Chloroquine necessary?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-honduras-chloroquine-necessary/275295>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 17, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-honduras-chloroquine-necessary/275295 "2004-11-17T17:23:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-honduras-chloroquine-necessary/275295/1 "2004-11-17T17:23:28Z")

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I will be in Honduras (specifically, Roaton) for one day, taking a long hike. The CDC recommends Chloroquine as an antimalarial. The cruise line says nothing about vaccinations or antimalarials.

Is Chloroquine a good idea, even for such a brief exposure? I will also be in Belize, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel for a day each.

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**Author:** ![professor\_folk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df788c/32.png) [@professor\_folk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/professor_folk)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-honduras-chloroquine-necessary/275295/2 "2004-11-17T18:26:47Z")

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I spent a lot of time down there a few years ago. Working as a sailor, we were given the option. I’ve always been very wary of taking pills, and didn’t take them. I was fine, even after spending 2 weeks on the Mosquito Coast. One guy was hallucinating after taking the pills.

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**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travel-to-honduras-chloroquine-necessary/275295/3 "2004-11-17T21:29:52Z")

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Another vote for no. I’ve travelled to and worked in Central America and the Caribbean since 1987 and haven’t taken anti-malarials since my very first visit. It is important to protect yourself against mosquito bites anyway, since there is sometimes a risk of other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. Use repellent and appropriate clothing, especially at dusk.

I am convinced that the anti-malarials I took all that time ago have done irreparable damage to my system. I’ve suffered from indigestion on a daily basis ever since.

Roatan is lovely, have a wonderful trip. 🙂