I have just been made aware that it's considered a fairly good idea to get vaccinated for hepatitis b and, I bielive, c before one goes to China. Unfortunately, my insurance company doesn't cover it. (which I think is classically stupid, but that's another matter altogether).

My question is this: since I'm basically going to be spending my time in Hong Kong, Beijing, near the great wall, Macau and on trains and ferries going back and forth, do I really need it? What, generally, are my chances of getting hit?

I think it is prudent to have a hepatitis innoculation generally, as you can get it many places, including the US.

I lived in Asia for 10 years and never bothered with malaria medicine, and would tell travellers to Asia not to bother with it either, but I always made sure (and still do) that my hepatitis innoculations are up to date. It really is not a good disease to get, it can lead to permanent liver damage.

Pay for it yourself, it is worth it.

Actually, I was just at my Dr's office getting my travel shots today! I am traveling to HK and BKK and he said a Hepatitis A shot is a good idea. He said B was not necessary because you only contract B through sex, sharing needles and blood transfusions, etc.

He said the Hep A shot is essential even if not traveling outside big cities in Asia because many street food vendors and some local restaurants wash dishes in dirty water that contains Hep. A. So, the way I look at it is, I plan on eating off of dishes that I have not personally seen washed, so I am getting the shot. Also, it reports say 30-50% of the population in China have Hepatitis A. Don't know if that is true, but better safe than sorry.

By the way, Hep A is 2 shots, six months apart. However you are 90% immune after the 1st shot, so it is a good idea to get even if you are traveling in less than 6 months.

As far as Hepatitis C, I don't think there is a vaccination...


Hope this answers you questions!

Braintree-

You can get vaccines for Hep A & B, not C.

Hep A is mainly transmitted via eating raw/uncooked food, esp shellfish. It is a good idea to get vaccinated before you go.

Hep B is transmitted via body fluids (usu blood or unprotected sex). The risk of tourists getting Hep B is small, unless you plan on getting surgeries/dental procedures at "iffy" places in China. On top of that, Hep B immnuization requires 3 doses at 1, 2, & 6 months' interval.

The short answer to your question is:
Get Hep A vaccine before you go.

Hep-A is also transmitted by kitchen or food preparers who don't wash hands when leaving the loo. This can happen as home (wherever one lives) as being in a foreign land.

As stated above, Hep-B is blood borne, and yes contracted often thru sex or needles, etc.

There is, however, a combination Hep-A/B now available and highly recommended for those planning to be away on long-term trips or 3-months or more.

There is no innoculation for Hep-C.

Do check with your local Public Health Department, they might provide the Hep-A at low cost or no cost. Even if you have to pay for the Hep-A yourself, it's worth it and is good for 10-years. Enjoy your trip.

A few months ago the was an outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Pittsburgh area. Several people died. It is a good idea for everyone to get HepA immunizations. Whatever it costs, it would be less than the cost of the illness.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...outbreak_x.htm

If you are traveling soon and want to be innoculated you can get A and B in one called twinrix and it involves two shots a month apart - not cheap! If you are a student maybe your university would innoculate you and it will be less costly.

Believe the combination shot for hepatitis a and b is called "Twinrex".

At least in the US, the patented Hep A and B combination is called Twinrix. You can google the name and get the prescribing information.

I would definately get my hepatitis jabs!!! Never venture into Asia without them. Best not to take chances. Just remember that with Hep B, you require booster jabs as well so make sure your antibodies are in the therapeutic range before you go.

The other thing is to get anti-diarrheao medications at your Dr's office whilst you are there. i've been to China 3 times (beijing, Kunming and Shanghai) and on all 3, came down with the runs.