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http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi General Category >> General Lao Board >> Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1302239304 Message started by William Kelley on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:08am

Title: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by William Kelley on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:08am

So I had my appointment with the travel physician today. The whole ordeal has left me feeling rather under the weather.

1. Hepatitis A Vaccine (1st dose) - injection - need another in 4 weeks.
2. Hepatitis B Vaccine (1st dose) - same as number 1.
3. Influenza Vaccine (with H1N1 strain) - also an injection.
4. Tdap Vaccine - Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis - injection.
5. Typhoid Vaccine - Oral (live, attenuated virus) 4 capsules, ever other day.
6. Doxycycl HYC Tablets - As needed for the prevention of Malaria, in case we leave the city.
7. Ciprofloxacn Tablets - As needed for diarrhea (just in case).

His biggest warnings - Don't eat food from street venders or drink tap water.

During the flight we have to worry about DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis. So once ever 2 hours (minimum) we have to get up and walk on the plane.

Side note - Japanese encephalitis, the vaccine was almost 400 dollars and not covered by my insurance. So I have to keep my night-time activities to a minimum.

31 days before we leave. If I didn't feel so "punky" from the vaccines I would probably be very excited right now.

:P

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Lao Democratic on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:54am

That's a lot of medicine. Thank for the updated and have a blast in Laos William.
:)

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Old Man on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 2:38pm

wrote on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:08am:

Bloody Hell!

Sounds like you are planning to vacation in a malaria infested swamp on the planet Venus filled with alien bacteria and gob-eyed, flesh eating nematodes!

When I came to Laos, my travel medicine and vaccinations, etc. amounted to.................nothing.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by JACKSPADE on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 4:07pm

wrote on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:08am:

The pharmaceutical company really shoved your money into their pockets by shoving fear into your head and body. LOL That is a lot of vaccine there, might as well not travel.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by JSEA on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 4:08pm

Yeah, all I got was TDAP, Typhoid, and some kind of Hep, but only the first shot of three.

If you do some research you'll find you don't need the Japanese Encephalitis, or...the malaria pills really.

I've been in SE Asia almost 5 months now and no malaria. The other thing to keep in mind is that the pills don't actually prevent it completely, you can still get it, and if you do they just diminish the effects until you can get to a hospital. If you look at the side effects of the pills they can be pretty crazy depending on what kind you get (the older kind that the army used caused hallucinations and vivid nightmares).

I also eat food from street vendors. Only gotten sick once, and that was just an upset stomach.

I had an upset stomach + vomiting from eating a tuna sandwich that the teachers at a local school gave me, so really you can get sick from anything.

Westerners are kinda pussies when it comes to going abroad :/ Just think about how much all the malaria pills cost, and whether your average SE Asian local can afford them 365 days a year.

The real thing you have to worry about is dengue fever, because the mosquitoes carry that too, and there's no pills for it :D Better to just lather on the 30% DEET if you're worried.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Old Man on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 4:19pm

No worries, guys!

Just buy one of these, not too expensive, HAZMAT suits and be sure to put it on before you get off the airplane after it lands in Vientiane.

Total protection guaranteed!

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Lao Democratic on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 6:44pm

You has good sense of humor Old Man.
;D ;D :D :D

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Tee on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 12:21am

May I advice you...it's essential to have your travel insurance...when you get to Laos...don't drink the ice with any drink yet...but do try to put a few block of ice each day and slowly increase each day. that is how to train your system to get use to......
if you sleep in the village do sleep in the net,that will protect you from the bit...... Please do enjoy your visit and you'll be surprise how friendly Laos people it...Do try to get along with your wife relatives and friends...even, you think some of the thing are annoying.......

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by William Kelley on 9^th Apr, 2011 at 5:42am

I know they put it to me. Yet, I chose to error on the cautious side. I would rather get shots rather than get sick. I get a flu shot every year anyway. I imagine it was a bit much. I know Vientiane is safe and I don't imagine that we will be traveling much, with the wedding and reception and all, but you never know.

I like the HAZMAT suits. I bet I could really shed some pounds wearing one of those in the heat of Laos. Probably wouldn't last a hour in it to tell the truth. I once bought a tyvek suit to wear when I harvested honey one year. It was around 85 degrees F. out side and probably 105 inside the suit. My clothes were drenched when I left the bee-yard. I never used it again, I would rather get stung a few times then to suffer like that again.

Thanks for the advice (the serious and the humorous), I am grateful for your input.

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Lao Pride Administrator on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 5:53am

Diarrhea is probably your biggest concern out of that list.

Yes, never drink tap water if you're a tourist. Some street vendors are okay, especially if meat is freshly cooked and eaten straight away. Avoid buying food that has been left out in the sun for hours, or near the roadside because dust can get in them.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by William Kelley on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 6:58am

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 5:53am:

Why doesn't the tap water effect other than tourist?

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Lao Pride Administrator on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 7:10am

Some people's immune system can handle it better than others.

The locals drink tap water without any problems, but I don't recommend it, unless you boil it.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by William Kelley on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 7:12am

I think I will just stick with bottled water or BeerLao.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by Lao Democratic on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 5:46pm

wrote on 10^th Apr, 2011 at 7:12am:

I think I will just stick with bottled water or BeerLao.

Our immune system is not used to it so drinking bottled water and BeerLao in Laos is a way to go.

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by MrLao4ever on 11^th Apr, 2011 at 3:39am

What the "F" - excuse my langugage but you are not going to another planet. Who says you need to be injected with these?

wrote on 8^th Apr, 2011 at 5:08am:

Title: Re: Travel Medicine for Vientiane Laos
Post by William Kelley on 12^th Apr, 2011 at 5:31am

I forgot who originally told me to go to a travel doctor before I departed for Laos. I told the doctor that I would NOT be leaving Vientiane, still he told me that to be on the safe side, I should get all the above. I have only been to Canada (Windsor) and no where else in my life, so who was I to argue with a doctor?