Carta_Pisana

Was researching about St. Petersburg, Russia (going in May) and read about getting booster shots. Which made me wonder about my Guatemala trip this February. Checked my Guatemala Footprint guide which mentioned the basic over-the-counter meds but couldn't find anything about shots. Any recommendations? Going to Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Want to hike the volcano near Antigua - visit towns aroudn Lake Atitlan, I've been to Mexico 5 times - went in Fenbruary - ate from street vendors and lived - knew i didn't need any shots. Do I need shots for Guatemala? Not that I'm a neurotic germ freak but the question has popped up in my mind. Any recs besides the standard precautions - bottled water, sunscreen, etc. Thanks.

PS - besides Footprint - are there any other guides posters feel strongly about - good or bad?

Suzie2

We were there last Feb. and are planning on going again this Feb.

We didn't worry about shots. We are up to date on our tetnus and I had the Hep A series.

I got sick after touring Atitlan. I had something to drink in three places but nothing to eat so can't say exactly where or how I got sick. A day of feeling pretty awful and I was okay. A friend got sick after eating up around Tikal. She was better after a day too. We were there for two weeks and that was the only problem we had. I always travel with meds to cover intestinal problems and nausea as well as antibiotics.

We didn't see much in the way of mosquitos in Atitlan or Antiqua but ran into a mess of them in other places and wished I had taken some anti malaria pills but we survived. The CDC does NOT consider Antigua or Atitlan a malaria risk.

We really like the Rough Guide. It has a lot of general information about the country.

Carta_Pisana

Suzie2 - thanks for answering my questions.

hopefulist

If you're up on your boosters and get Hep A (everyone should have this, traveler or not IMO) you should be fine for shots. We follow the advice on the CDC site regarding malaria medication. Malaria can be a life-long plague and prevention should be taken seriously.

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/camerica.htm

I haven't been to Guatemala since the 80's other than little side trips in from Belize and Honduras, but I'm heading back this summer to spend 3 weeks in the western highlands. The book that has been recommended most to me and I'm liking best (though I haven't "proven" it) is the Rough Guide.

http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Gu...F8&s=books

Have a great trip and please grace us with a report when you get back. Happy trails!

hopefulist

The guide link isn't completely "live" so you'll have to cut and paste - sorry!

Carta_Pisana

so I'm seeing my docotr tomorrow to go over my shots. The next question now - medical evac traveler's insurance. Any recs? My home insurance covers theft abroad - not really concerned about that issue while in Guatemala. But hiking up volcanos on shifting skree has given me pause.

Carta_Pisana

any opinions about insuremytrip.com?

amazon just sent me a note that my rough guide to guatemala is on it's way - along with my footprint I think I'm covered.

thanks for all the advice.

Suzie2

We have thought about it a few times. It isn't all that expensive. In 15 years of traveling around many places in Central America I have not had a need to use anything like that. On the other hand, my husbands aunt had a sudden illness on a trip to Alaska and they were glad they had it. It paid for everything. It is a personal choice I think.

Glad you will get your books in time. Getting close to countdown time for you and us. We head down on the 3rd. Have fun!

I'll be watching for a trip report for your Russia trip. Sounds fascinating.

ttraveler

Frommers has a Guatemala book coming out soon.. I think next month.

Carta_Pisana

got my tetnus booster and the first of three hep B shots (my hep A was up to date) - typhoid immunization is done by pill now. Odd story - my doctor told me one of his patient's went surfing in Central America - came back fine - then about 6 months later had to have emergency surgery because a strain of typhoid was attacking one of his bones. The patient was pretty sure he caught it from eating raw turtle eggs. Mental note to self: no turtle eggs benedict for breakfast.

Suzie2

Hmmmm....I might skip eggs altogether. That sounds terrible.

Sounds like you are getting it all together. I am still trying to get my in country transportation finalized. We head down the 3rd.

Carta_Pisana

so i went to my pharmacy today to get my typhoid pills - they have to be kept in the refrigerator and there's a 6 hour window in which the pills spoil if not kept refrigerated. I'm going to talk with my doctor monday to get a sense how necessary this is. Any comments - advice?

Carta_Pisana

just wondering if anyone took typhoid medication while in Anigua & Lake Atitlan - thanks