Monday, November 8, 2010

Prepping for Haiti: The Medical Checklist

"When a great adventure is offered, you don't refuse it." -- Amelia Earhart

I went to India in 2004 and joked that I had to get vaccinated up the ying yang for almost every common traveler's disease.  I could (and should) have traveled everywhere for those first 5 years.  Alas, I'm in my 6th year since India so it was time for some updating.  Luckily, it was only Typhoid.  But daggonnit...wouldn't you know I've got to take the dreaded Malaria Pills again?

According to the CDC, the current immunization recommendations are:
  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Tetanus
  • Flu shot
I had a Typhoid shot last time, but the doctor recommended an oral vaccine which should cover me for a longer period of time (something I should look into).  It's 4 pills that are taken every other day and need to be completed at least 1 week before you enter a high-risk area (I'm cutting it close as usual).  And much to my dismay and ridiculous bias against the Flu Shot (because I SWEAR I always get sick from it), I was convinced to get this year's Flu Shot.

Other precautions: 

I'm not a fan but am taking Malaria Pills.  Consult with your doctor of different malaria pill options because some have a higher percentage of side effects (like paranoia) than others.  The different versions also have different costs and different lengths of treatments. 

Cipro is also coming along with me -- just in case of Traveler's Diarrhea. 

I found it funny that the doctor looked me in the eye to tell me not to do anything while I traveled that I would not do in the States.  She seemed to put extra emphasis on catching a STD.  I was like...really?!!!  I'm volunteering at an orphanage for disabled children.  Promiscuous sex is the last thing on my mind.

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