The immunization question!
Replies: 25 - Last Post: Sep 16, 2012 8:44 AM Last Post By: vasenka
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16
Do some homework on your own...this site being the best...http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm
17
go_2 @14 - that reminds me of an SDA missionary I met in Solomons who refused to take any sort of chemical medication and relied on biting then swallowing papaya pits (must be cracked in the mouth before swallowing, or so the myth goes; extremely bitter) as a malaria preventative and treatment. He swore by this treatment, claiming he had 'cured' several locals using the same method. Shortly after I came home he was medi-vacced to Australia with cerebral malaria.18
Several years ago, there was a very sad case of a young Polish woman traveler on the Africa branch who died of cerebral malaria contracted in West Africa. She acknowledged she did not take the recommended malaria prophylaxis despite advice for what was clearly a malaria endemic area. She wanted some sort of medication-free experience in Africa traveling and living like a local and sadly, she got one.24
One other possibility--I see you wrote "here in France." When the antimalarial Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) was first licensed in the EU, experts felt that there was insufficient data on long term use, so it was licensed for only enough pills for a 28-day trip. Since you take it for a week after leaving the malarial area, that's about 5 weeks of use. Other antimalarials are taken for a month after leaving--so a one-month trip would be two months of use.
Experts in other countries reached different conclusions, so the 28-day limit does not apply outside of the EU (at least i haven't found other countries where it is limited.). Malarone is generally unavailable outside of developed countries, although I am seeing more reports of peoel finding it.
Another possibility:
Doxycycline can interfere with the function of some oral contraceptives. After about 3 weeks, the body adapts to the doxy and the contraceptives are now effective--as if the person wee not taking the doxy.
25
I agree with reply #7... but there are travel clinics at major hospitals...I tolerate vaccines well...no reactions so far...so I think there is nothing to fear...but that is personal to everyone... Error on the side of safety...
The real debate is on anti-Malaria drugs...which can have side effects that can ruin your trip... Can avoidance of mosquitoes be a better choice if you are NOT going into the deep jungle...? Long sleeves and DEET...?
Of course in rural Malarial zones of Africa take the drugs already...but in New Delhi or Madras...?
Also your personal health profile is important...are you prone to get sick...or are you "lucky"...? Hard choices...I'll be making that decision again ...going to South India in November...
