Does anyone know if it's necessary to get one for Barbados? I can't imagine I need it, but many websites are recommending Hep A shots for much of the Caribbean..
Thanks!
Jen

We have been to Barbados 19 times and have never gotten any shots prior to going, nor have we ever gotten sick.

You have to remember, lots of the Caribbean is not that developed -- I'm sure those are the areas of concern.

Barbados is known as the Gem of the Caribbean, has pure water, and high standards.

Lois

From the CDC site on the caribbean:

"Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) should be considered if travel to areas of questionable sanitation is anticipated."

If you are planning to travel much in your lifetime, you might consider getting Hep A vaccine and get it over with.

Thanks both of you. I agree, it's probably unnecessary in Barbados... I've never had one before. I also agree with you Jed that it's not a bad idea to have it. Particularly since a friend of mine got Hep A in North America. And also since another person we know was off work for 6 months after contracting Hep A on one of the more "sophisticated" Caribbean islands. But it is an expensive vaccine. Will probably get it at some point.

Lois, we can still drink non-bottled water then?
Thanks!
Jen

"Particularly since a friend of mine got Hep A in North America."

Indeed. In the past year, hundreds of people got HepA in Pennsylvania after eating at a fast-food place.

Is it expensive? Less expensive than getting sick.

We always drink tap water. We use it to make coffee in the morning in our condo and drink it throughout the day. Also, when we go to restaurants and they ask if we want bottled water or tap, we always go with tap. The bottled water they offer costs a fortune there.

We've never had any problems in all the years we have gone there.

If you don't like the taste of the tap water, bottled water is readily available in the grocery stores, but from a health standpoint it's totally unnecessary.

Lois

Thanks Lois. I'm sure we'll just drink the tap water. It's always been great.

Jed, the Hep A shot can cost a couple hundred dollars to get the two doses you need. But, worth it I think. We will get it at some point for general health reasons. My friend caught Hep A at a bagel place of all places!

Jen

(Warning - hope no one is eating dinner while reading this)

Hepatitis A is the type of Hepatitis spread by what is called the fecal-oral route. That means somehow something contaminated with sewage got into your mouth. This can happen by something as simple as a food service worker not washing their hands after using the bathroom. If you remember a few years back, there was an outbreak after people ate berries picked in the US - migrant workers without access to bathrooms with proper sanitation - well, you get the picture. It can also happen by food coming into contact with contaminated water. So it can happen anywhere.

I suspect the reason many websites are now recommending Hep A shots for travel to .... is that in recent years the shot has become more readily administered to everyone in US and somewhat less expensive. Some people get it as part of a combined Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B immunization series. Many health plans cover all costs of immunizations. In fact, many MDs in this country recommend it is part of regular immunizations for everyone, whether they are traveling to nowhere or to Mars.

As I am sure you know, I would get info from CDC website or your own MD. Just because someone has not gotten Hepatitis and has been somewhere is not a reason to or not to get the shot - we all have homeowners insurance and our houses have not burned down. And most have had tetanus immunizations and probably would not get tetanus if we did not.

All that said, Hepatitis A is a rarely fatal disease that runs its course in several weeks - during which time you feel really sick - but then it goes away. Incubation period is such that at least you would not likely get sick until you returned home, if that makes any difference.

(Tomorrow's lecture will be on Hepatitis B)

Have a good trip!