shots

Hi,

For those of you who have been to Asia, do you recommend getting the Hepatitis A and Typhoid Shot? I have heard conflicting reports. Some say not needed, but advisable.

We are going to Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.

Thanks for your help.

Hi,

 

For those of you who have been to Asia, do you recommend getting the Hepatitis A and Typhoid Shot? I have heard conflicting reports. Some say not needed, but advisable.

 

We are going to Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.

 

Thanks for your help.

We get all the recommended shots. When we did SE Asia we got the typhod shot. Already had everything else. Typhoid is an expensive one; but most of shots last for quite some time, so they are worth it for peace of mind to us.

For those of you who have been to Asia, do you recommend getting the Hepatitis A and Typhoid Shot?

If you have all of that on a long-term basis, you're covered for the recommended things for most places, so that you'd only need to get specialist extras when you go to exotic locations.

Having said all that, I did spend decades shuttling back and forth to Hong Kong, and living there for years at a time, without ever having any of these. But I changed my approach the first time I went somewhere where it did make good sense to have this collection.

I am going to the same ports as you but I'm not getting any new shots. having said that, I do have my hep a....and now I have to google whether typhoid is recommended.

We got hep A/B (twinrix) and typhoid, I think that's all. A travel clinic can give you expert advice suited to your situation. Check that you've had a tetanus shot within the last ten years too.

just remember it is best to do the most. As what is happening now may change in a month from now just look at Africa.

We travel Asia all the time for business and some pleasure, you are going to eat in different places and maybe have a spa treatment. That is why some are water born bacteria and some are skin fluid like from a spa. Hep covers the skin, typhoid covers water borne.

Thanks everyone for your help. We will get the shots.

:):):)

I have an appointment with the travel medicine clinic on Saturday to see what they recommend. from my research I think typhoid might be a good idea. i'll let you know what they say.

the travel medicine doctor was very thorough in what kinds of illnesses I could be subject to. so yes, typhoid seemed prudent and I got the shot. I was also due for my 10 year DTP booster, so got that one too. I also got some killer insect repellent full of deet and a prescription for meds for tummy troubles. I think I'm set!

I'm very cautious about what I eat but I never thought about what I eat it with! I can't remember where in asia the doctor said his son lives but he carries his own fork and disposable chopsticks. I never would have thought of that. now I feel like I'm being paranoid.

Thanks for all your great information.

the travel medicine doctor was very thorough in what kinds of illnesses I could be subject to. so yes, typhoid seemed prudent and I got the shot. I was also due for my 10 year DTP booster, so got that one too. I also got some killer insect repellent full of deet and a prescription for meds for tummy troubles. I think I'm set!

 

I'm very cautious about what I eat but I never thought about what I eat it with! I can't remember where in asia the doctor said his son lives but he carries his own fork and disposable chopsticks. I never would have thought of that. now I feel like I'm being paranoid.

Where the tourist is taken to eat, you will not need to worry about sanitation. It is safe to use their utensils. If you go off on your own and eat at a small place then you may run into problems. Tend to eat something that is cooked rather than something that is not cooked and you will be safe. Also, if there is other tourists there, generally you will be safe.

"boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it" is what one of my instruction sheets from the clinic says.

If you watch most Chinese people even in Canada take the very hot water that is provided with the tea and pour it over their sticks and then swish it in the bowl they use and dump into another bowl. It took me awhile to figure it out but we travel a lot in China for business and live in an area with many Chinese restaurants and see this going on even in Canada.

If you watch most Chinese people even in Canada take the very hot water that is provided with the tea and pour it over their sticks and then swish it in the bowl they use and dump into another bowl. It took me awhile to figure it out but we travel a lot in China for business and live in an area with many Chinese restaurants and see this going on even in Canada.

And always get your yearly flu shot ;)

I'll bet they do this even in restaurants where the tourist is taken to eat.

Where they take the tourists you will not see many locals.:D

When it comes to medical advice, it is better to ask your doctor rather than ask complete strangers on a travel forum who know nothing of your medical condition and probably have health issues very different from yours. Also understand that travel clinics are businesses that will make more more money by selling you more shots.

This habit about pouring hot water over the plates and chopsticks comes from the south of China and it is mostly that, a habit. Rarely see this nowadays. I spend a few months per year in China and lived there 3 years and don't think I have seen this more than 2-3 times per year.