Travel Injections

[sophie_1003]

I'm going to the Dominican Republic soon and went to have my injections the other day; I had been advised by someone I know that I may need to have a typhoid injection and although not essential it is on the 'recommended' list. However; the nurse said "I won't give you that one because it's only recommended if you're staying there a long time...although I suppose the first thing you eat could give you typhoid...as long as you're sensible and don't eat salad or fruit you can't peel or ice cream you should be ok"
This has begun to get me worried as; like she says the first thing i eat could give me typhoid! Also; I really want to be able to eat ice cream whilst on holiday! Should I be able to go back and get it?

[grasscarp]

If it is worrying you go back. I would warn you though it can make you feel a bit odd for a short while. I had to lie down!

[carmalee]

go on a travel information website which lists the informed recommendations for each country - don't just be advised by 'someone' - the info you have is that you MAY need a typhoid injection - sophia if it were me I'd find if I did NEED one.

[sophie_1003]

Oh yes I did check carmalee and it is definitely only 'recommended' not 'essential' the person who advised me was basing it on what they'd been told by their doctors who administer it within the HepA injection (which is essential) My doctors do it separately which is why I didn't have it.
Thanks grasscarp; if it was just salad and fruit I could just about cope (although I usually live on salad and fruit on holiday!) but being told not to eat ice cream was awful!

[Sqad]

Well...... officially you should have the injection against typhoid.

Me? if I did not intend to stray from the tourist areas...........I wouldn't have one.

Does that make sense?

[carmalee]

then I agree with sqad - and don't forget to come back and tell us about it - btw - my daughter went to DR a while back and she didn't have the jabs and was absolutely fine.

[sophie_1003]

Yes it does; I think I'll be sticking to tourist areas; maybe the odd day out but for food will be eating at the hotel mostly. Is ice cream in tourist areas ok lol?

[Sqad]

sophie....Ice cream will be fine.......;-)

[sophie_1003]

Yay! Ta sqad; you can see where my priorities lie; ice ceam or injection lol!

[carmalee]

If it helps - I've travelled a lot in quite dodgy areas of Africa and I always avoid ice, salads and anything I can't peel! - use water purifying tablets or bottled water to drink, clean teeth and have a good helping of the local yoghurt for a couple of days. Seems to work with me. Oh yes and avoid food that's been in a glass cabinet with the sun on it. It's common sense really - am sure you'll have a great time.

[sophie_1003]

Ta carmalee; I usually try a little bit of fruit and salad on the first day and if I'm ok I'll just carry on; never had a problem yet; we always stick to the hotel food or restaurants with lots of people in which I think helps!

[carmalee]

have a great time sophia and don't forget to send a 'wish you were here' cyber card!

[Euphemia]

It's probably an idea to pack some Imodium

[sophie_1003]

Always do euphemia; and rehydration salts; although I usually have the opposite problem which is why I like to eat lots of salad and fruit (veg are never up to much in hotels I find!)

[Buenchico]

Their are loads of websites about the health risks of visiting other countries, but there's only one OFFICIAL site (funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office).

Quote from that site:
"Travellers should practice strict food, water and personal hygiene precautions even if vaccinated.
Most travellers are at low risk and do not need vaccination".

Source:
http://www.nathnac.or...s/country_page_DO.htm

It's worth noting (from the information on that site) that vaccination is only 50% to 80% effective against one type of typhoid and totally ineffective against another. So practising good food hygiene (rather than vaccination) really is the key to avoiding infection.

Chris

[sophie_1003]

Ta Chris!

[JonnyBoy12]

Ice cream is okay to eat abroad, as long as you boil it first! Seriously though I do not know what advice to give you. My sister has been there, and did not complain about any nasty bugs there.

I hope you have a lovely time there, and tell us all about it when you get back.

[sophie_1003]

Lol; think I'll be OK; will keep fingers crossed and hope for the best I think!

[sherrardk]

Hi Sophie, we went to the Dominican Republic about 12 or 13 years ago and got moved out of our hotel after two weeks due to a typhoid outbreak.

[sophie_1003]

Oh dear; bet that wasn't very nice! Where did you stay; not that it won't have changed by now!

[boxtops]

Sophie, I'd say it's like Egypt - never eat anything that hasn't been washed (and that you have washed yourself, if necessary). Friend of mine was really ill from eating salad, and you should avoid ice too. if you are going to a decent hotel with good food hygiene standards you should be OK though.