Travel Insurance for Tonga

Hi

I understand that if you get really sick in Tonga that they will need to fly you to New Zealand for treatment. Trying to understand insurance policies on this is a bit tricky. Any suggestions?

Thank you

Virginia

Rabies Injection and JE

Hi - I am going to Irkutsk (Lake Baikal) beginning September for a week and then Mongolia for 2.5 weeks before moving to SEA for 6 weeks. Am I really taking a big risk if I don't have Rabies and JE? Because I have doubts I will probably have Rabies but after reading up there doesn't really seem to be a definitive answer. Sorry if this is a daft question and no doubt asked many times before! Thanks - Heather

Malaria and Psoriasis

Hi All,

I have quite severe psoriasis - several large plaques over my body. I'm heading to SEA, and will need malaria tablets for about 2 months (not including the time after).

At the moment, my psoriasis is under control, and I'm taking special measures to keep it so. From a lot of experience, I have found that people react quite badly to large red lesions in Asia. People do too back home in Australia, but are usually more subtle about it. Last time I was in Hong Kong, I had someone demand that I not sit next to them on a bus, and was also refused a back massage at a spa - even after explaining that psoriasis is non-contagious, and non of my plaques are open wounds. While I've built up a thick skin to most comments (like my pun?!), it's still upsetting when people react really badly.

So - back to my main point. I am desperate to keep my psoriasis under control, but have ju... more »

Mixing Rabies vaccine brand names and/or types

So... I am really late with my rabies pre-exposure jabs, and I will have to complete the series at different clinics in different countries. The problem is that the first dosis (which I've just received) is a PVRV type vaccine of the brand name Imovax, and in London (where I'll be on day 7) I can only find clinics administering HDVC and PCECV type vaccines.

A quick recap on the types, as specified by WHO:

human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV): Rabivac™
purified vero cell vaccine (PVRV): Verorab, Imovax, Rabies vero, TRC Verorab™
purified chicken embryo cell vaccine (PCECV): Rabipur™.

So my questions are:

a) Does anybody know if it's a problem combining a dose 1 of PVRV with a dose two (and maybe three) of HDCV or PCECV, or are they compatible?
b) Or does anybody know a London clinic which administers PVRV rabies vaccine?

I would be very grateful if anybody wanted to sh... more »

Schisto

The AFEX camp in Juba uses river water in the showers. I now realize the Nile in Juba is every bit as chockers with Schistosomiasis as it is in Cairo. I would love to hear why somehow it is not possible to get schisto from a shower. Perhaps the flukes need sunlight which they don't get inside of water tanks...

If my hopes prove insubstantial, anyone know how to get tested for it? And how long after exposure can that test be performed?

Thanks.

Medication whilst in SE Asia

Hi All

I'm in a bit of a predicament and was wondering if anyone had any advice or had faced a similar problem.

I'm going traveling about SE Asia for 12 months with my husband in October 2012. My issue is that I take an anti epileptic medication and my doctors will only prescribe me 3 months worth of the medication.

Apparently the drug I'm on is widely available around the world (Epilim) so getting hold of it shouldn't be a problem - so I'm told by the doctor.

Rules have obviously been tightened up as on 2 12 months trips I've previously taken I was prescribed the whole prescription but granted that was quite a few years ago.

I'd really appreciate any advice.

Adele

How to Make a Top-Notch Travel First Aid Kit

Hey everyone, I wrote a 'how to' guide about making a good travel first aid kit, and I'm posting it here because I'd love to hear some of your feedback. For example, is there anything missing from my list which you consider essential? Or did I include anything unnecessary? Let me know what you think!

How to Make a Top-Notch Travel First Aid Kit

If you plan on traveling outside of major cities, you’d better pack a solid travel first aid kit. This thing can really get you out of some nasty situations and save you from some inconvenient side trips to a doctor, especially when you’re in the countryside. It’s very easy to get cut or scratched when you’re out and about, particularly if you plan on hiking or doing other physical activities. Having a few medications handy can also help with some other unpleasant situations that arise while on the travel trail.

*Start with a d... more »

Rabies - Treatment......bitten in Krytzistan

Well yesterday I got bitten by a Shepherd dog, on a trek outside of Karakol, Kyrgyzstan.

I have managed to track down some immunoglobaline in Bishkek. But the relevant doctor who administers it, says that by having the the drug Abayhrab - Purified Vero Cell Rabies Vaccine (I was given in Karakol), I can no longer safely have immunoglobaline.

Is this correct?

I washed the wound with all the water I had immediately and had the first Abayahrab shot within 3 hours.
I have arranged for some guides to check on the dog for me to ensure it is healthy.