Never gave it a thought until reading a food poisoning thread - are immunizations needed when traveling to Italy? It will be our family's first time visiting Italy this summer - don't want anyone to get ill!

Have no fear... <BR>My husband of 36 years is from Genoa and we probably made 10 trips - several weeks each - to Italy over the years..without, with, and without our now grown kids. We've never had any problem with food or water during our visits with family and any sightseeing jaunts. I read what you read and I doubt it was food poisoning if others ate the same thing and did not get sick. <BR>Don't worry, I wouldn't give immunizations a second thought and I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful trip!

Isn't it wonderful that the good ole US of A is "immune" from all of the various (and many) problems that beset the Europeans. That must have been one heck of an immunisation they had back in creation times, to be so perfect.

<BR>see traveller's health recommendations at: <BR> <BR>http://www.cdc.gov/travel/westeurp.htm

Get over yourself, xxx. No one here is claiming to be perfect. It is usually standard procedure that Immunizations get updated before travel to another country... ANY COUNTRY, by the way. Since traveling to different countries usually means being exposed to different THINGS, and not all of them good... The same would be true if you were to come here, I'm sure. You may not need to be immunized against anything, but I'd hope you'd check it out, first. <BR>Can we be a little more constructive with our critisism here??

I didn't comment on the original posting by jessycatl about Hepatitis A immunization. It has been nicely clarified on another thread that Havrix (inactivated Hepatitis A vaccine) will protect you from this one disease, which is not at all related to (staphylococcal) "food poisoning" nor to the (far more common) "turista" - - toxigenic E. coli diarrhea. You are as likely to catch hepatitis A or staph food poisoning in any cafeteria in the US as in similar places in Europe. Toxigenic E. coli diarrhea IS somewhat common anywhere you travel that washing of fruits and vegetables is not done with reliably clean water. I have caught it twice, once in Mexico, and once in Spain (explosive symptoms, both times, about 36 hrs _after_ I got home). Based on this n=2 experience, I can tell you that metronidazole (Flagyl) is worth its weight in gold in rapid symptomatic improvement. <BR> <BR>But on the subject of "updating" your immunizations, this does NOT mean getting hepatitis A immunization for most people, and having an up-to-date tetanus toxoid booster is still far more important than any other immunization you should seek before your trip (if it has been more than 5 years). Any emergency room will automatically do this (and it is perfectly effective AFTER a wound that might expose you). Still, if you are overdue, why not do it before you leave home. <BR> <BR>If you plan to have sex in Europe with someone other than your already established monogamous partner, then your risks of acquiring other infections far outweigh all other infectious disease risks you face. Hepatitis B immunization is wise (three doses, a month apart) provides protection from this important disease. But only a condom can provide reasonable protection from hepatitis C and HIV infection. <BR>

good summary by rex however for anybody who travels the hepatitisA vaccine is a wonderful idea. the usual source of hep A is contaminated shell fish. this can also run rampant in summer camos because of the lack of hygiene practices of kids. additional comment on the use of flagyl it a good drug but DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL and take this drug as is has antabuse like side effects especially severe nausea and vomiting. check with your physician about the proper use of this drug.