Just talked to my health provider: Vaccines for Peru and Argentina
Jul 25th, 2006, 07:54 AM
#1
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Just talked to my health provider: Vaccines for Peru and Argentina
I was confused about what was needed, recommended suggested, etc. :0)
So...
I called my health insurance provider and spoke with the travel vaccine clinic/department and this is what I was told.
Tetanus, yellow fever, Hepatitis A (she said everyone should have this one)and as a precaution I should have a polio booster.
and
2 prescriptions: one for typhoid and another for malaria.
Seems like overkill to me but I guess you don't need it til you need it. I'd sure hate to get any one of these things and we are very fortunate in that our insurance covers all of the vaccines with a co-pay for the prescriptions.
So...
I called my health insurance provider and spoke with the travel vaccine clinic/department and this is what I was told.
Tetanus, yellow fever, Hepatitis A (she said everyone should have this one)and as a precaution I should have a polio booster.
and
2 prescriptions: one for typhoid and another for malaria.
Seems like overkill to me but I guess you don't need it til you need it. I'd sure hate to get any one of these things and we are very fortunate in that our insurance covers all of the vaccines with a co-pay for the prescriptions.
Jul 25th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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I am leaving for Argentina in a few days and received the vaccines forHep A, yellow fever, tetanus and typhoid. I am taking a perscription for malaria as well. Although nothing is required, its better to be safe and Hep A and tetanus can be contract anywhere in the wrong situation. I would rather a shot than a few weeks (or worse) in the hospital. Besides, if you plan future travel, the vaccines last a few to 10 years.
Jul 25th, 2006, 10:25 AM
#3
We recently spent 10 weeks in South America - all of it west of the Andes and no time in the jungle (Peru, Ecuador, Chile and a bit of Argentina in Ushuaia)
Given the above itinerary the specialist travel clinic we went to recommended the Hep A/B combo shot (Twinrix, I think), polio booster and tetanus.
Because we were not traveling to the jungle she specifically recommnded against yellow fever and malaria as she felt the potential side effects negated any reason to have them, even the broad "just in case" reason.
Additionally she prescribed Diamox (for altitude in Cusco) and gave us a general prescription for the antiobiotic Cipro (in case of serious food borne intestinal problems).
We asked her about Duk-oral - the vaccine for food borne illnesses - she was on the fence about it - said that it only works for approximately 60% of problems, but we decided to take it and didn't have any problems (we were *careful* with what we ate, but not maniacal).
Have a lovely trip
Given the above itinerary the specialist travel clinic we went to recommended the Hep A/B combo shot (Twinrix, I think), polio booster and tetanus.
Because we were not traveling to the jungle she specifically recommnded against yellow fever and malaria as she felt the potential side effects negated any reason to have them, even the broad "just in case" reason.
Additionally she prescribed Diamox (for altitude in Cusco) and gave us a general prescription for the antiobiotic Cipro (in case of serious food borne intestinal problems).
We asked her about Duk-oral - the vaccine for food borne illnesses - she was on the fence about it - said that it only works for approximately 60% of problems, but we decided to take it and didn't have any problems (we were *careful* with what we ate, but not maniacal).
Have a lovely trip
Jul 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM
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We leave Oct 8...still seems along way off but will be here before you know it! Very excited....
can you tell me what type of temperment David has...he seems low key, not a comic....
RbCal
We'll be in Iguazu which is why it was suggested to get the YF and Malaria.
can you tell me what type of temperment David has...he seems low key, not a comic....
RbCal
We'll be in Iguazu which is why it was suggested to get the YF and Malaria.
Jul 28th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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I also just visited a tropical disease clinic regarding my trip to Argentina (BA, Salta, Jujuy and Misiones provinces).
They recommended hep A and a tetanus booster (which also includes typhoid and diptheria, I think). The doc seemed very on the fence about yellow fever and malaria. In fact, he told us not to bother at all with yellow fever vaccine. However, when pressed as to whether he himself would take anti-malarials if it was his trip, he shrugged and said probably not.
FYI, the anti-malarial appropriate for the region IS NOT Malarone (the newest in its class with, supposedly, the lowest incidence of side effects). It is chloroquine sulphate tablets, taken twice a week, beginning a week before the trip and for four weeks following the trip. Note that this is NOT the anti-malarial that is known to cause psychotic breaks in 1 in 9 or 10 people taking it. That one is called Mefloquine.
They recommended hep A and a tetanus booster (which also includes typhoid and diptheria, I think). The doc seemed very on the fence about yellow fever and malaria. In fact, he told us not to bother at all with yellow fever vaccine. However, when pressed as to whether he himself would take anti-malarials if it was his trip, he shrugged and said probably not.
FYI, the anti-malarial appropriate for the region IS NOT Malarone (the newest in its class with, supposedly, the lowest incidence of side effects). It is chloroquine sulphate tablets, taken twice a week, beginning a week before the trip and for four weeks following the trip. Note that this is NOT the anti-malarial that is known to cause psychotic breaks in 1 in 9 or 10 people taking it. That one is called Mefloquine.
Jul 28th, 2006, 09:25 AM
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An adult tetanus booster also contains diphtheria. There's also a newer product that also contains vaccine against pertussis (whooping cough).
Typhoid vaccine can either be oral or injectable. The injectable form 'lasts' for two years, the oral for five.
Chloroquine is cheap, few side effects. If there's malaria in the area, better safe than sorry. The effects of the disease can last for the rest of your life.
All that said I'm guilty of heading to Latin America without taking malaria prophylaxis.
Typhoid vaccine can either be oral or injectable. The injectable form 'lasts' for two years, the oral for five.
Chloroquine is cheap, few side effects. If there's malaria in the area, better safe than sorry. The effects of the disease can last for the rest of your life.
All that said I'm guilty of heading to Latin America without taking malaria prophylaxis.
Jul 28th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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We'll be in AR and CL in Oct/Nov including Iguazu.
We are immunized v. Hep A/B and dT.
Have no plans to get YF nor take Malaria prophy.
I took YF in 1973 as I was in Panama (incl the Darien and Aligandi/San Blas) for six weeks.
Returned to Costa Rica and Panama in '03 (incl the Darien).
Didn't bother with YF nor Malaria prophy, but used Ultrathon liberally.
buen viaje.
www.cdc.gov
M (MD: SMdA, Gto.)
We are immunized v. Hep A/B and dT.
Have no plans to get YF nor take Malaria prophy.
I took YF in 1973 as I was in Panama (incl the Darien and Aligandi/San Blas) for six weeks.
Returned to Costa Rica and Panama in '03 (incl the Darien).
Didn't bother with YF nor Malaria prophy, but used Ultrathon liberally.
buen viaje.
www.cdc.gov
M (MD: SMdA, Gto.)
Jul 29th, 2006, 12:22 PM
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cmcf,
I saw Panama from two different time warp perspectives: I was there as a LCDR, MC, USNR doc in an intensive tropical medicine 6 week program in 1973.
We stayed at the VOQ on Ancon and were treated like royalty.
Biggest threat was the many viruses - yellow fever high and polio medium then - the Anaconda in the USAF indoctrination class was a bit much, but a puppy c/w the virus nasties.
Returned in '03 and, with thoughts of retirement, and found it entirely different: not worse.
Love the Panamanians, but too hot and humid and a bit too far.
We looked in CR, Spain and PT for a retirement village, and finally decided on San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
If I was doing same today, Alpine Patzcuaro, Michoacan would be perhaps highest on my list.
Panama is a great place to visit, especially if you can include a trip to the many dry/wet forests of Costa Rica.
M
I saw Panama from two different time warp perspectives: I was there as a LCDR, MC, USNR doc in an intensive tropical medicine 6 week program in 1973.
We stayed at the VOQ on Ancon and were treated like royalty.
Biggest threat was the many viruses - yellow fever high and polio medium then - the Anaconda in the USAF indoctrination class was a bit much, but a puppy c/w the virus nasties.
Returned in '03 and, with thoughts of retirement, and found it entirely different: not worse.
Love the Panamanians, but too hot and humid and a bit too far.
We looked in CR, Spain and PT for a retirement village, and finally decided on San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
If I was doing same today, Alpine Patzcuaro, Michoacan would be perhaps highest on my list.
Panama is a great place to visit, especially if you can include a trip to the many dry/wet forests of Costa Rica.
M
