if you are travelling to boliva south america, is there any thing you can take or use for malaria ?

ie: sprays or tablets that are replents, or any thing that mozzies dont like ?

You NEED to go to doc for jabs, seriously

vaccinates against Malaria. it has 10 year-old validity.

Check whether the area you're going to is at a high malaria risk area.

I went to Peru and the areas I was visiting were not high risk area, so I didn't get the jab. Instead I spoke to the practise nurse who recommended tablets, to be taken once a day, just in case we did get bitten.

I hope that helps!

Sure, there's ways to prevent malaria. But I do recommend reading up on a few of the travel health web sites or talking to a doctor to find out what other risks and precautions might be in order for you (like maybe a hepatitis shot??)

Anyway, regarding malaria (and dengue for that matter), your best bet is to prevent the disease from ever getting to you. Use appropriate clothing, bed netting and/or window screens, and of course, strong mosquito repellants: for years, conventional wisdom among latin american travelers was to look for brands based on DEET. There's now some products that are supposedly as effective, and at reduced risk. You definitely do NOT want to rely on low-end repellants nor on pseudo-repellants, like the Avon Skin-So-Soft that some folks use in the U.S.

There are also PREVENTATIVE medications that a doctor can prescribe for you to help prevent the disease from ever affecting you, even if you do get bit. Malarone is a popular approach for travelers, you start taking daily pills a few days before you leave and quit taking them a few days after you get back. Other doctors may favor things like chloroquine or mefloquine --- but again, discuss this with a knowledgable health professional, don't rely on silly "I disagree" posts here on Yahoo BadAnswers.

One minor suggestion: It's sometimes worthwhile to seek out doctors who are *NOT* born-n-raised Americans because, let's face it, they probably wouldn't have seen too many cases of things like malaraia, dengue, yellow fever, or typhus and wouldn't know about epidemiological vectors that are commonplace in the tropics. On the other hand, a doctor who learned his craft in africa, southeast asia or latin america will have a lot more experience with those kinds of things and a lot better recommendations on how to keep yourself healthy.

Stay healthy!

I have never used any medicine in any part of South America. I've seen people using preventative pills and most of them got sick because of the side effects. Also they are very hard on your liver.
I think the best thing you can do is to use a good insect repellent. Don't be paranoid about it, just get a good brand. If you don't go to the Amazonas, probably you won't need anything at all.

You need to see the nurse at your doctors surgery. She can check to see if you are going to a risky area. The standard precaution is to take Chloroquine tablets, once a week; from 2 weeks before, and 4 weeks after your trip. Malaria is not the only health risk, when travelling abroad.