Is a mosquito net strictly necessary when traveling through India in low cost accommodation?
I've been in other countries where malaria prevention is a must like Senegal or Kenya and almost all low cost accommodations include a mosquito net (sometimes broken, but in general in good condition). My doubts about that specifically for travel in India : Is it easy, in general to find low cost rooms that includes a mosquito net?
Best Answer
After travelling around India last year, I wouldn't bet on a mosquito net in hotels - most don't have one. Midrange hotels (still reasonably priced for Western standards) often offer aircon, so nets are theoretically not necessary - but even then we usually had at least one mosquito in the room. I don't think I would invest in a mosquito net though, consider (a) insect repellent (b) Raid plug repellent.
However, if you are only concerned about contracting malaria, then you should make sure that there is malaria in the area you will be travelling in. E.g. the UK's NHS provides this map (note that malaria maps are constantly updated; you can get a recent one from a travel clinic):
The most touristy places around New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra don't have any malaria risk.
Pictures about "Is a mosquito net strictly necessary when traveling through India in low cost accommodation?"
Do I need a mosquito net?
But if you are visiting a country where mosquito-borne disease, or any illness carried by insects, is prevalent, the short answer is yes, you need one. Mosquito nets provide a protective barrier around you as you sleep, which is when you are often most vulnerable.Why are mosquito nets needed?
Around the world, mosquito nets are a key tool in preventing mosquito-borne diseases from spreading. Mosquito nets or bed nets are fine nets hung over a door, window or (most commonly) a bed to protect the people inside from mosquito bites and the often deadly diseases the insects carry.Can mosquitoes get through mosquito nets?
Mosquito nets, also called bednets, are hung over beds, desks, or even cooking areas. Some tents are made of mosquito-net fabric, to help campers avoid the pesky insects. Light and air can easily penetrate mosquito nets, but mosquitoes cannot. The sharp proboscis of the mosquito can penetrate the net, however.Which mosquito net is best in India?
The top 5 Mosquito Nets in India- Mr. Right Mosquito Net. ...
- Good knight Mosquito Net. Good Knight mosquito nets come in multicolor and three sizes i.e., King, Quen, and single bed. ...
- Classic Mosquito Net. ...
- Dabur Odomos Foldable Mosquito net.
What is the best mosquito net? Don't make this mistake!
More answers regarding is a mosquito net strictly necessary when traveling through India in low cost accommodation?
Answer 2
Nets are light enough and cheap enough and malaria is nasty enough that carrying your own seems a sensible option.
Taking a different approach, if you can tolerate it, a low dosage (100 mg/day) of doxycycline antibiotic is relatively effective against malaria in areas where quinine and quinine derivatives have become ineffective. Some people report various side effects from doxycycline. I have taken it at the 100 mg/day rate on several occasions with no noticeable side effects. YMMV.
If I was travelling in high Malaria risk areas in India I would probably personally carry my own net and take Doxycycline. Note that Doxycycline does not prevent you from acquiring malarial infection, but instead deals with parasites in your liver and bloodstream. Treatment needs to be started a few days before entering the infected areas and continued for some weeks after leaving them. The continued use at the end is because the effectiveness against parasites in your liver is not as good as with some other drugs but it is effective against parasites leaving your liver. Charming!. Doxycycline for Malaria Chemoprophylaxis and Treatment: Report from the CDC Expert Meeting on Malaria Chemoprophylaxis provides a good description of what Doxycycline does and how well it does (or doesn't) do it.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Shubham Verma, Storishh, Hiyang Prem, Yogendra Singh