Vaccinations, Diseases & Health Info

[Prawn_86]

If you know for certain, or even have any recommendations, of vaccinations or general health tips people should/shouldn't do in certain places then post your comments here.

[Prawn_86]

I'll start off by saying i was unfortunate enough to get Malaria when i was travelling through SE Asia as a kid.

I was about 8 at the time, and despite having the vaccination before we left, and taking the pills everyday, i still managed to get it somehow. We think it was in the Banyak Islands off Indonesia but who can really be sure.

Anyway, our holiday had to be cut short as my fever got worse. Came back to SA spent about 3 weeks in hospital because no-one here knew what was wrong with me. It took a specialist from Queensland to figure it out, and i now have the dubious honour of being the first person in SA to have had tropical malaria. We do have something similar here called Ross River Fever, but its not quite the same as malaria apparently

[Prawn_86]

Another story:

When we were travelling to an island in Thailand, my old man decided to swim the last few hundred metres or so. Jumped off the boat and about 2 min later was stung by a jellyfish. Pulled him back into the boat and they (the crew) administered vinegar straight away

He says it the most intense pain he has ever experienced. He still has huge welted scars on his shoulder from it.

[kennas]

You need a Yellow Fever vaccination when moving around counties cirling the Amazon, and to get back into Australia, but there hasn't been a case of Yellow Fever for years! LOL

You'd be very unlucky to get Malaria or Yellow Fever in the Amazon unless you went out in the jungle at night, nude, with no repellant on...

They key with mossie borne diseases is to have your skin covered, put deet on, and don't sleep out in the jungle in the nude.

Oh, and watch out for the little worms that crawl up your willy in the rivers in Argentina...

[white_crane]

Prawn_86
It's my understanding that there is no vaccine for malaria, only tablets to reduce the symptoms. This was the advice I was given recently. The best remedy was to cover up, use a DEET repellent and avoid going outside at dawn and dusk.

Oh and by the way, the malaria medication may make you more prone to sunburn.

[Prawn_86]

Anyone who has been to/is in Thailand know if any vaccinations are worthwile? We are only going to Phuket, wont be far off the beaten track, and they reccomend typhoid, tetanus and hepatits A.

I know of people who have gone and not bothered, but i was just wondering how risky it is?

[Prawn_86]

I spoke with a travel clinic today and found out a couple things.

Hepatits A and Typhoid vaccinations are administered in the same dose. The does gererally lasts for 24 months, however they reccommend getting a boost for the Hepatits A after 18 months.

Once you have the Hep A boost you are immunised for life, and dont require any more, however you will still require the typhoid ones, as there is no life long vaccine for that yet unfortunately.

[white_crane]

I got these same vaccinations when I went to Vanuatu.

The HepA/Typhoid combined and the tetanus one. I was told that the HepA would last for 12 months and that if I got another shot in 6 months, then it would last for life (20 years).

I can't remember how long the typhoid one lasts, but it was something like 12 months I think.

[johnting101]

Guess now it's the H1N1 Influenza Virus. Think we've all heard about it and how it is spreading to all the places around the world.

Advantages:
-AirFare should be cheaper and all cost on travelling would be generally cut down.
-You'll see less people travelling now even in the holiday period.

Disadvantages:
-You might just be lucky enough to catch the H1N1 Flu

[buddinghealth]

Originally Posted by Prawn_86

Anyone who has been to/is in Thailand know if any vaccinations are worthwile? We are only going to Phuket, wont be far off the beaten track, and they reccomend typhoid, tetanus and hepatits A.

I know of people who have gone and not bothered, but i was just wondering how risky it is?

I wouldnt worry if you are not going too far of the tourist trail you probably don't need to worry to much - speak to your doctor though and see what they say (also just check what your insurance company thinks you need)