Question about shots

[steelsaint]

Oh My Goodness...?!

Sounds like a plan for Panama swamp explorations. By all means, work with your professional doctor, but I got to say - no one does all that for Cozumel...!

Typhoid: 400 cases a year in the US, mostly from returning travelers to endemic areas. Not a bad idea, but not really done much for Coz. See above discussion.

Hep B, Hep A, Tetanus( if you haven't had it in 5 years): Those are good ideas in the US, therefore sure - altho most adults haven't done the Hep shots. Kids are now required to have those.

Malaria: I have been taking chloroquine for trips into the mainland jungle ruins, but if you check the CDC, it's really indicated only for areas far from those. I won't agrain for the Yucatan.

5 boxes of Imodium: If you're going to eat from street vendors maybe, but nah.

and the antibiotic for Vibramycin to treat Malaria: Uh, if anyone gets Malaria, that med is available. You won't but if you did, get it then.

He also recommended using Bug spray with deet 50% or higher: Ok, cool - but I don't for town. If you stayed in a southside resort maybe, or toured the island. Don't go to the island ruins or jungle without, no.​

Are you sure you told him Cozumel, not just Mexico...?

I told him Cozumel, Mexico. I think he has a given a list by the CDC for a for a certain area like Central America, Africa, Asia, etc.

 

[DandyDon]

Don, Typhoid fever is not an epidemic here by any means, but it is more common than you probably think, even in the states - so it never hurts to take precautions against it, including vaccination.

I agree; I did not say epidemic. I said endemic, which is a similar word of very different meaning. Nonetheless, it's not a bad idea to get that shot, the one good for 5 years, as discussed above.

Remember, the Hep shots are a series of two or three - with three or four weeks between shots, mstevens can verify/clarify the time frames, etc.

With all of that said, this isn't as primitive of a place as some people who've never been here may imagine - so if you don't get all of theses shots, I wouldn't be overly concerned. I know that the MAJORITY of people who travel here don't get them.

Yep, the Hep shots take several weeks. Good idea for living in the US, much less traveling, but take time and money.

I thot it was wild that the travel doc recommended Malaria preventative meds and treatments both, even tho the disease is not there.

 

[morecowbells]

Of all travel related immunizations, I would advise you to get at least the Hep A and B, and your dT(if not up to date). The Hep A and Hep B vaccines actually are given over several months. However, even at one dose you can start building immunity. I think it is a good idea to receive these vaccines regardless of travel. You are exposed to these diseases everywhere. Although Hep A exposure is significantly increased where food/drinks are being served in areas with lack of hand washing/running water. Side effects to the vaccines are minimal and you should have lifetime protection against those diseases. Your dT should definitely be up to date. If you puncture yourself on the beach or in the workplace, plan on getting a dt if greater than 5 years since last one (personally, I would prefer to get it done with before my vacation since your arm can be sore for several days afterward's).

As an RN I should be more compliant with the CDC guidelines. It is just my personal feeling and opinion, but sometimes they can be overzealous in their recommendations. I feel they have strong ties to the pharmaceutical industry and these vaccines can be very costly. These vaccines are not without side effects or 100% safe. I have a close friend who ended up in the ICU after getting the Yellow Fever vaccine while in the millitary. Is this a common occurance, no, but there are some risks involved. If I was going to travel through a dense jungle or less traveled areas, I would probably get the other vaccines. Everyone has their own comfort level and opinions on this subject. Do your research and decide what is right for you. Just my two pesos.

 

[RubberDucky]

5 boxes of Imodium: If you're going to eat from street vendors maybe, but nah.

Last year while in Coz I had the pleasure of getting Montezuma's Revenge. I had a home cooked meal the night it happened - one of many during my stay. No one else had any issues with the food that night. About 5 hours later I was sitting on the can. I did that every hour for the next 6 hours, and on the 7th visit to the bathroom I ended up vomiting at the same time (I don't think Bruce Lee could have grabbed the trash can quicker than I did that morning). Needless to say I didn't get much sleep that night.

A few weeks later much of the food I ate - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - came from street vendors. I did that for about 5 weeks and had no problems. The exception for the entire duration of my stay was that I drank bottled water, which it seems even most/all of the locals do.

I'd been to Cozumel twice previously and never had any issues. It was just that one unlucky night. Would Imodium have helped? I can't say, simply because I let nature take its course, and I didn't self medicate. However, googling for montezuma's revenge Imodium yields some results that say either that or Pepto Bismol can be useful in that situation.

A nurse mentioned to me a few days later that it could have even been food poisoning. I should note that what I experienced is definitely not a common occurrence in Cozumel at all, at least not to my knowledge. However, it just might be worth packing the Imodium and/or the Pepto, because if something similar does happen to you, you're probably going to want relief in any form you can get it.

Just my thoughts. Happy New Year to everyone.

 

[Christi]

I agree; I did not say epidemic. I said endemic, which is a similar word of very different meaning. Nonetheless, it's not a bad idea to get that shot, the one good for 5 years, as discussed above.

Yes Don, I am aware of the two different words and know the meaning of each. I actually wasn't responding to that statement as I hadn't even seen it - because I was responding to the statement I quoted in my message.

 

[caseybird]

A few notes about malaria exposure, Last trip I traveled to Playa for cenote dives. The mosquitos were SAVAGE. Repellent had no apparent effect. 4 divers stripped out of our gear in an small SUV. I take the malaria prophylaxis every trip. It means starting 1 week before and taking one pill a week until 2 weeks after I return. (IIRC)
Because of Malaria exposure, the red cross won't let me donate blood until a year after a trip to the Yucatan Penninsula, their map includes Cozumel. Since I usually go to Coz once a year, I don't donate much.
The course of prophylaxis usually costs around $70.00. At least it's not a shot.

 

[DandyDon]

A few notes about malaria exposure, Last trip I traveled to Playa for cenote dives. The mosquitos were SAVAGE. Repellent had no apparent effect. 4 divers stripped out of our gear in an small SUV. I take the malaria prophylaxis every trip. It means starting 1 week before and taking one pill a week until 2 weeks after I return. (IIRC)
Because of Malaria exposure, the red cross won't let me donate blood until a year after a trip to the Yucatan Penninsula, their map includes Cozumel. Since I usually go to Coz once a year, I don't donate much.
The course of prophylaxis usually costs around $70.00. At least it's not a shot.

I don't have any problems taking the chloroquine, but I wouldn't pay $70 for 7 - 500 mg pills. :shocked2: It can be obtained in the US for half that. I will be taking it for Roatan this winter even tho many don't bother, but it's just not indicated for the Yucatan anymore. From CDC: Health Information for Mexico | CDC Travelers' Health

Areas of Mexico with Malaria: Limited to areas infrequently visited by travelers, including small foci along the Guatemala and Belize borders in the state of Quintana Roo and small foci along the Guatemala border in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco; rural areas in the states of Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Sinaloa; and in an area between 24°N and 28°N latitude, and 106°W and 110°W longitude, which lies in parts of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango. No malaria along the United States-Mexico border and in the major resorts along the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

I used to donate blood regularly and the blood bank here would disqualify for trips into the jungle, i.e. ruins & cenotes, but not for Cozumel. I stopped a few years ago after my DVT so my experiences are out of date there. With the CDC info, I wouldn't think my bank would be tougher on the Yuc-Pen, but then who knows what's happened in court actions and board rooms.

 

[caseybird]

You know what? I'm thinking The Border of QR and Belize ain't that far away.

 

[scuba_willy]

When I checked the malaria risk maps for mexico, I did not see a hot spot for cozumel although there were in the inland areas of the Yucatan. There must be a number of visitors that go to Chichen Itza that dont take malaria courses. I would have thought there would be stronger warnings to tourists if the risks were high. But of course thats a dangerous assumption.

When I was in cozumel, the bugs did take a liking to me. I was at scuba club and must have picked up 30 bites in the two nights before I bought bug spray. My wife had one I think ! Just a case of who the bugs like. 50% deet sounds a bit strong though. I think the more skin friendly bug spay versions would work ok - at least in the coastal areas.

 

[DandyDon]

When I checked the malaria risk maps for mexico, I did not see a hot spot for cozumel although there were in the inland areas of the Yucatan. There must be a number of visitors that go to Chichen Itza that dont take malaria courses. I would have thought there would be stronger warnings to tourists if the risks were high. But of course thats a dangerous assumption.

When I was in cozumel, the bugs did take a liking to me. I was at scuba club and must have picked up 30 bites in the two nights before I bought bug spray. My wife had one I think ! Just a case of who the bugs like. 50% deet sounds a bit strong though. I think the more skin friendly bug spay versions would work ok - at least in the coastal areas.

Got a link to that map, Willy? Sounds like an old one, perhaps out of date. The CDC changed their advise sometime in recent years...

Areas of Mexico with Malaria: Limited to areas infrequently visited by travelers, including small foci along the Guatemala and Belize borders in the state of Quintana Roo and small foci along the Guatemala border in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco; rural areas in the states of Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Sinaloa; and in an area between 24°N and 28°N latitude, and 106°W and 110°W longitude, which lies in parts of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango. No malaria along the United States-Mexico border and in the major resorts along the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

As I mentioned, the blood bank I used to donate to never disqualified for Cozumel and this thread is the first time I have heard of the Red Cross doing so. They might; just new to me. I looked at their website, but very little info there...

There is risk of malaria in some parts of Mexico. In the Caribbean, malaria is found only in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.