Immuniztions for Travel to China
 

My doctor's office is recommending getting the Hepatitis A vaccine, and Typhoid shot as well. Another friend of mine went to Kaiser last week and got Hepatitis A, only.Wondering if there are folks out there, that can comment on this. A friend of mine says that typhoid is usually given in small towns, and/or villages. My trip is to: Beijing, Xian, Guillin, Suzhou, and Shanghai. Thanks for any help.
Annie

Yes, Typhoid is recommended as it is another disease carried by contaminated food and water. Read all of the immunization recommendations at www.cdc.gov/travel

By the way, the oral typhoid vaccine is longer lasting : 5 years vs. 2 years for the shot.

Annie,
Last week I visited a highly reputable travel doctor here in L.A. for my upcoming trip to China. She recommended hepatitis A and tetanus-diptheria. Depending on your age, a measles booster may be necessary. The other concern is dengue fever which occurs in both urban & rural areas. This disease is carried by mosquitos, so be sure to use insect repellant with deet. The other recommendation is to bring oral rehydration salts along with antibiotics in case of the dreaded traveler's diarrhea... Typhoid is only necessary for extended stays, visits to rural areas, or in the case of adventurous dietary habits. All of this info is available from the CDC. Your trip sounds wonderful--enjoy!

Kathie
Wish I had read your response sooner. Went to the MD today, and got Hep A and Typhoid. Did not get oral Typhoid. She gave us the choice, but did not mention the longer lasting effect of the pills. GOt both shots in the same arm, and is it sore!
I did read the info on the CDC website. She made the point about the food possibly being contaminated by handlers, etc.
Luckyinia: The office we went to happens to be the office of my internist. He is a travel and infectiouse disease specialist. The Nurse Practitioner did mention diptheria tetanus, but we both had had it within 10 years. Had measle as a child. Don't know anything about Dengue fever. Plan on getting Deet 50%. We got a prescription for antibiotics. Will look into rehydrations salts. Thanks for all the info! Where and when are you going in China?
Annoe

Annie,
My husband, 2 daughters (ages 10 & 7), and I arrive in Hong Kong on 6/11. We are visiting HK, Guilin, Xi'an & Beijing. We leave BJ on 6/25. By the way, rehydration salts available anywhere you can buy hiking/camping products, or thru a travel store. (I bought a 3 pack for about $7, & it will take up virtually no space in luggage.)

Just wanted to say that I returned from India in April. I received the Hep A and Typhoid vaccine. There were 13 people on our trip; 10 out of 13 got sick. I was one of the few who didn't. Who knows if the Hep A and Thyphoid in fact really did help me or if it was just dumb luck. But I'm sure glad I got the vaccines.

We haven't gone to China yet, but got the Hep A, oral typhoid (made us sick) and polio. That's what our local health co recommended. Also update the tetanus/diptheria. Xifaxan is suppose to be a new med specifically for traveller's diarrhea.

Statistically, the oral typhoid is much less likely to cause side effects than the typhoid injection. But your experience is a good reminder that people are different from each other and those with a sensitive stomach may be better off with the injection, even though it's only good for 2 years.

Thanks for all the responses.
Luckyinla, My daughter lives in LA.
Have a great trip. We should compare notes when we both get back!
Annie

I should correct myself. 2 of the 4 of us got sick from the oral typhoid. It was pretty much bad nausea after taking each capsule which subsided after about a day, just when it was time to take the next capsule. I was so glad to be done with the 4 capsules.

Hi Annie,
I have lived in Southern China now for several months, you may also wish to consider an influenza jab as that's pretty common here.

As for Dengue, I shouldn't worry about that too much, it's only prevalent here in the far south, just avoid places like public bathing areas and pools, they're often unclean. Hotel pools however are clean and safe.

Dengue is spread by mosquitos that bite during the day. The mosquitos that spread it are more prevalent in cities and town rather than rural areas. It's always wise to use mosquito repellants. Those containing deet (25-50%) are most effective.

SZ & Kathie: Thanks for the info. I've just bought some mosquito repellant spray, and towelettes. Don't think I will be getting the influenza shot.
Thanks,
Annie